Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Wow...I forgot to post this...please review! ^^

 

Chapter 1: Outset Island

 

 

This is just one of the legends spoken of in ancient times. Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a wondrous kingdom filled with tall mountains, green lands, and peace. But one day, an evil man found the golden power, and using its power, he spread chaos across the land.

 

Then, when all hope seemed lost, and the hour of doom arrived, a boy in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil’s bane, he sealed the darkness away and gave the land light. The boy had to travel through time to save the land, and thus he was known as the Hero of Time. It is said the hero then vanished without a trace, and some believed that he was taken up by the goddesses themselves to be preserved until the day he was needed once more.

 

His story was passed down through generations until it became a legend. But then, some hundreds of years later, the world began to stir. A dark wind began to pour across the land, and the evil that had thought to have been sealed away now was free. The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them, and so they prayed to the goddesses to return the Hero of Time.

 

However, the hero did not appear, and, when faced by an onslaught of evil the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods. In the final hour, as doom drew nigh, the people left their future in the hands of fate. There is then no record of what occurred after that, and the kingdom seemed to vanish overnight.

 

The legend of the kingdom was then passed down over generations, and it, too, became legend. None knew what happened to the kingdom and its people, and on one small island that rested upon the Great Sea, it became a custom to garb their children in green when they came of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspired to find heroic blades and cast down evil. The elders of this island, which had come to be known as Outset, only wanted their children to know courage as the Hero of Time had.

 

“Onii-chan!” a girl shouted. She had rather short, blonde hair which she kept in little pig tails at the sides of her head. Her eyes were a beautiful forest green, and she wore a lovely, cyan dress that had flowers at the bottom of it. She had bracelets on her arms, and held her most precious possession, a telescope she had gotten from her father before he passed away.

 

The girl currently stood upon the porch of her house on an island known as Outset. She held the telescope up to her eye and looked around. Seagulls seemed to love this girl for some reason, as they always flocked around her. “Onii-chan!” she shouted again and huffed up, putting her arms on her waist in frustration. “Where is he? Onii-chan!” She shouted even louder, but still no one responded.

 

“He better not be sleeping!” The girl walked forward, heading down a path that led to a small bridge. Outset was actually two small islands. A forest grew atop the right-most island, and the only way to it was through a bridge that had been built that crossed from the left-most island and the right-most island. A second bridge then connected the two islands down at the bottom of the large mountain, where the land was more flat and had human life on it.

 

The girl stopped once she crossed a third bridge that led to a large lookout. She looked up and breathed in heavily. “Onii-chan!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. A scream could be heard from someone at the top. “So he was…” she spoke and huffed up. She grabbed hold of the ladder in front of her and began to climb up it.

 

At the top of the lookout was a boy of about sixteen. He had short, blonde hair that was somewhat messy, and seemed to puff up everywhere. His eyes were a handsome hazel, and he wore a blue shirt that had a crawfish on it, as well as a pair of brown pants. He groaned as he looked around, having been startled awake by his sister’s voice. “Aryll?” he asked as he looked around.

 

“Link-onii-chan!” The girl shouted now that she was next to him. This startled him again and he jumped back. “Why were you sleeping up here?”

 

Link groaned. “I was tired, Aryll…” He slowly stood to his feet.

 

Aryll sighed. “Onii-chan, Grandma has been calling you now for an hour!”

 

“Why would she do that?” Link yawned.

 

“Because of today!”

 

“What’s today?” Link rubbed his eyes.

 

Aryll gave a look that showed she was upset. “You don’t remember? How can you not remember what today is?”

 

“I’m still half asleep, give me a break…”

 

Aryll sighed. “Onii-chan, it’s your birthday! You’re sixteen as of today!”

 

Link’s eyes went wide, then his face showed a look of dread. “Oh no…” he groaned and flopped back, closing his eyes.

 

“Onii-chan, you can’t go back to sleep!” Aryll shouted and grabbed him, shaking him.

 

“All right, all right, I’m awake!” Link spoke up and sighed. “Do I have to do this?”

 

Aryll nodded. “Grandma says ‘On their sixteenth birthday, all boys get to wear the hero’s clothes for a day.’ Today is your sixteenth birthday, so that means you have to do it.”

 

“But those clothes look so warm!” Link whined. “It’s the middle of summer, and it’s hot enough as it is!”

 

“They can’t be much warmer then what you’re wearing now.” Aryll tugged at the long-sleeves of Link’s shirt. Her own dress had no sleeves, and ended around her knees, but Link’s shirt was long-sleeved, and he also wore a pair of long pants as well. “The shirt alone can’t be too cool, since it looks like a sweater.”

 

Link groaned. “I suppose you’re right…” He sighed. “Fine, I’ll go see Grandma.” He turned and walked off, slowly climbing down the ladder Aryll had climbed up. He crossed the bridge, then followed the path back to his house. He groaned as he pushed the door open, then looked up. The house was two floors. The first floor held the kitchen and bedrooms, while the top floor held a small place for the family to get together and be with each other. “Grandma, I’m home!” Link shouted.

 

“Link!” a female voice spoke loudly in a happy tone. “Come on up, I’ve got a present for you.”

 

Link groaned. “That’s what I’m afraid of…” he muttered under his breath. He climbed the ladder that led to the second floor, and there he found his Grandma. She was an elderly woman, not much taller then Link. In fact, it was quite possible that she was shorter then Link by an inch or two. Her hair had gone white over the years, and she had a bit of a hunch to her as she stood. She wore a red dress, and her eyes were a hazel color, showing where Link had gotten the color of his eyes.

 

“Come on over here,” Grandma spoke and Link walked forward. She grabbed some clothes off of the table and handed them to Link. It was a brown belt, a pair of green pants, a light-green undershirt, and a darker green overshirt, along with a green hat. “Here you go. These are the hero’s clothes. Since it’s your sixteenth birthday today, you get to wear them.”

 

Link gave a groan. “Do I really have to?”

 

“Oh come now, it’s only for a day. Besides, you’ll look great in them.”

 

Link sighed. “All right.” He made his way downstairs and into his room where he changed. There were two bedrooms in the house. One was his and Aryll’s bedroom, and the other was their Grandma’s. Link’s bedroom consisted of only a few things, a dresser, a bed, and various items for lights and things. There wasn’t much use for toys on the island, as everyone knew everyone, and thus the children always hung out, but there were a few. The bed was big enough for two people, and even held two pillows on it. Link couldn’t remember a single day since Aryll had turned two that they hadn’t shared the same bed.

 

Link quickly pulled off his clothes, then pulled on the green pants and the green undershirt, followed by pulling on the overshirt. He pulled the hat onto his head, trying to work his hair so it would look smooth, yet the hat would still go on right. Afterwards, he wrapped the belt around his waist and clasped it as he walked out of his room. “I guess they aren’t that bad…” he spoke.

 

Link made his way back up the ladder, and his Grandma smiled. “Very nice,” she spoke, smiling. “Now, as you know, this is your sixteenth birthday, and as such, you are now an adult. Remember, the Hero of Time was sixteen when he defeated the darkness!”

 

“But, Grandma, why do we do this?” Link asked. “It has nothing to do with our island, does it? I mean…that kingdom existed a thousand years ago, and it vanished without a trace.”

 

“Well, the Legend of the Ocarina of Time may have occurred a thousand years ago, but when the kingdom only vanished a couple hundred years ago. On top of that, we have no clue what happened to the kingdom. We only know that we have carried on this tradition since the kingdom vanished. We do it in memory of the kingdom. Today, we have peace.”

 

“But it has nothing to do with the Hero of Time…He vanished, and didn’t even return when the kingdom needed him. Why is he so great if he deserted the land like that?”

 

“Well, the thing to remember is that peace filled the land. He was no longer needed, and so he left. Afterwards, it was a good six hundred years before anything happened again. Assuming he just left, then he would have been long dead…”

 

“Well, I guess that’s true…but didn’t the goddesses take him up?”

 

“No one really knows, Link. All that is known is that he defeated the darkness, then disappeared.”

 

Link sighed. “All right…can I go now?”

 

“In a minute. Now, I am making your favorite soup today for your birthday party. On top of that, I am inviting everyone on the island to come celebrate with us. So, I want you to wear those clothes for the rest of the day. Be happy, show them off. Remember, you’re an adult now. That may mean more responsibility, but it also means something else.”

 

“What?” Link asked, a curious look on his face.

 

Grandma looked around, then got up close to Link. “You can look for a girl,” she whispered.

 

“Wah!” Link shouted and jumped back. When he did, he jumped back a little too far and fell back, landing on the ground below. “Ow…”

 

Grandma walked to the edge and looked down. “You ok?”

 

“Fine.” Link slowly stood up, groaning.

 

“Well, anyway, go find Aryll and watch over her for me for a bit. She may be a teen now, but she’s still young.”

 

Link nodded. “All right, she’s probably by the lookout, so it should be easy to find her.” He turned and headed out the door. The island seemed to have come to life over the last few minutes. People were now wandering the island, the kids were playing together, the adults talking, and everyone just seemed happy in general. Living on a small remote island was nice, since everyone basically knew everyone, yet, it seemed there were still surprises everywhere.

 

Link made his way to the lookout and looked up. “You up there, Aryll?” he called out.

 

“I’m right up here, Onii-chan,” Aryll called back. Link climbed the ladder up and he saw Aryll looking through her telescope.

 

“Hey.”

 

Aryll turned, looking at him through the scope. “Hey, onii-chan.” She looked over him. “Wow…I guess those clothes do look rather warm…” She moved the telescope away from her eyes and looked at Link straight now.

 

“Yeah…but I’m okay with it, I guess… They aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be.” He walked over next to her and bent over, putting his arms against the railing. Aryll did the same. She was only about a foot shorter then her brother.

 

“Hey, onii-chan, I have a gift for you.”

 

“Really?” Link asked as he looked at his sister.

 

Aryll nodded. “Close your eyes and hold out your hand.” Link did as she said and she set her telescope in his hand. “Now, open your eyes.”

 

“This feels like…” Link opened his eyes and looked down. “Your telescope?” he asked. “You’re giving this to me?”

 

“Well…more like letting you borrow it for a day…” Aryll spoke. “But, yes, for today you can have it.”

 

“But…this is your gift from Dad…you’ve had it since you were two.”

 

“I know…” Aryll spoke and turned, putting her hands behind her back and looking away. “But, hey, it’s just for one day. I’m sure you’ll take good care of it. You’re an adult now, right?” She sniffled a little and Link wrapped his arms around her.

 

“Thank you.” Aryll couldn’t hold the tears and she quickly whipped around and stuffed her face into Link’s chest. “I know you miss Mom and Dad…” He hugged her tight as he looked out. The truth was, their Mom and died shortly after Aryll was born, and their father had been killed in a storm when Aryll was two. Link had been the man of the family since, and he and Aryll both acted as mature as possible since they didn’t want their Grandma to worry about them.

 

It took a little while, but Aryll soon stopped crying. She sniffled a bit, and Link picked her up and continued to hug her. The embrace would have continued, if it hadn’t been for the sound of cannon fire. Aryll quickly turned her head and looked out. “What’s going on?” she asked.

 

“I don’t know,” Link spoke and set Aryll down. They could see a large ship out a ways from them. He extended the telescope and looked through it. He saw the ship was a large, brown ship holding a rather bulky looking crew. Atop the crows nest was the black flag with the skull and crossbones. The ship was a pirate ship. “Pirates.”

 

“Pirates?” Aryll asked, shaking. “Did they come to invade our island?”

 

“I don’t think so.” Link saw the cannon fire again, and he looked up in the direction the cannon was pointing. “Whoa!” he shouted. In the sky was a rainbow-colored bird of several feet in size. It was a gigantic bird, and he saw, in the clutches of the bird was a girl. She had short, blonde hair that went up into a sort of ponytail. Link guessed her hair was longer if it was let down. She wore a dark blue, possibly purple vest, along with a magenta shirt underneath, both that were sleeveless. He could barely make out a pair of long-white pants that ended halfway below her knees.

 

“What is it, Onii-chan?”

 

“They aren’t invading. They are shooting at some kind of giant bird. It has a girl. She looks like their leader.”

 

“We have to help them.”

 

“I don’t think we…wait!” Link watched as a cannonball struck the bird in the face, and it squawked loudly. The hit caused the bird to loose its grip on the girl, and Link’s eyes went wide as he watched the girl plummet down. She crashed into the forest at the top of the island, and Link bit his lip.

 

“What happened?”

 

“The bird got hit, and it dropped the girl. She fell into the forest.”

 

“We have to help her!” Aryll spoke. “She could be severely injured.”

 

“I’ll go,” Link spoke. “You stay here.” Link turned to run off.

 

“Wait, Onii-chan!” Link turned to look back at Aryll. “Be careful…”

 

“I will.” Link turned to rush off once again, quickly grabbing the ladder and sliding down it. He needed to get into that forest, but he also knew it was dangerous. “Orca, please lend me your sword,” he muttered as he rushed off to one of the houses on the island. He had to hurry, because if he waited too long, it was possible the girl might not survive.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 2: Tetra

 

 

Link arrived at one of the houses upon the island. He pushed the door open, and a man greeted him. The man was bald, save for the small bit of long, white hair that was on the back of his head. He had a long beard and moustache and he wore nothing but a pair of purple pants. He was also somewhat fat, though it was more due to his age, as his stomach was big, but his arms and chest were actually fairly well built. The man twirled a spear in his hand, then slammed it against the wall. “Link, welcome,” the man spoke. “How can I help you?”

 

“Orca, something has happened, and I need a sword,” Link responded.

 

Orca stared at him for a moment. “And what is it that has happened, young one?”

 

“Someone fell into the forest! It looked like she was being taken away by a large bird, and she suddenly was dropped onto the island! I need to help her!”

 

“I see.” Orca walked over to one of the weapon racks and drew a small sword. “You need a sword to save the girl, but do you even know how to use one?” He looked at Link and pointed it at him.

 

Link nodded. “You’ve shown me several times. In fact, I was practicing here yesterday, remember?”

 

“Ah yes, now that I think about it, I do remember.” Orca twirled the sword in his hand, then held it out, swinging the sword around so the blade lied in his hands, and the hilt was held out to Link. “From what I remember, you were rather skilled. The look in your eyes and the tone of your voice says you will not misuse this sword. Take it, and use it if you need to.”

 

Link nodded. “Thank you, Orca.” He grabbed the sword and turned.

 

“Wait,” Orca spoke and Link whirled around. Orca then held out a sheath. “You can carry it around all day. Take this sheath as well.”

 

Link nodded and grabbed the sheath. He sheathed his sword, then wrapped the sheath around his back, hooking the belt in the front of his tunic. “Thank you, Orca.”

 

“Think nothing of it, Link. It is your sixteenth birthday, and regardless, you would have gained this sword anyway. Do not forget it is part of the tradition to also find that sword. Now, remember, the clothes you wear now and the sword you carry are both symbols of the ancient hero. Use them wisely and carefully. Also remember to have courage as the ancient hero did.”

 

Link nodded and gave a bow. “I will remember that.” With that, Link turned and headed off. He rushed his way through the island, taking the long path that lead up to the higher points of the islands. He stopped at the bridge and looked forward. It was a long rope bridge, and the wind was blowing at it, making it sway.

 

Link gripped the rope railing on the bridge and carefully walked forward. The bridge continued to sway as he slowly made his way across the bridge. It took him a minute of walking slowly before he made it across, and he gave a sigh of relief when he crossed fine. “Now to save that girl.” He drew his sword and slowly entered the forest before him.

 

As he walked, he found the forest was darker then the rest of the island. The trees grew up and mingled together to make it darker as their leaves caused less light to enter from above. It took only a moment before he spotted the girl not too far off. She was currently lying upon one of the branches, and she looked as if she was still unconscious.

 

Link slowly made his way forward, using his sword to cut away at some of the overgrowth that blocked his path. It didn’t take very long before he found himself directly under the tree that girl was in. A closer look at her now revealed she couldn’t be much younger then sixteen. He noticed a red sash that went around her neck, as well as one that went around her waist to serve as a sort of belt. Upon her belt was a scabbard, and the sword that would normally be in it currently lied on the ground at Link’s feet. The other thing he happened to notice was how well developed her bust was, though that was actually the last thing on his mind.

 

“Hey!” Link shouted. “Are you okay?” The girl gave no response, appearing to remain unconscious. Link quickly sheathed his sword and grabbed the tree. He set his foot upon a small branch stub and was about to begin climbing. However, a loud noise caused him to whirl around, finding himself face-to-face with three large creatures.

 

They were Bokoblins. Nasty creatures that were about six feet tall normally. They had either purple skin, and were rather imp-like in appearance. They had pig-like faces, and wielded somewhat old-looking swords. They roared at Link and he quickly drew his sword. In an instant, they were upon him, but Link quickly knocked them back with a swing of his sword.

 

They roared and rushed forward, swinging their swords wildly, and Link quickly ducked under their swings and brought his sword up to strike. This move took out the first two, leaving one other to be dealt with. The two charged at each other and locked swords for a moment. Link then gave a quick kick to the creature’s stomach, then brought his sword up to kill the creature.

 

The noises of battle managed to awaken the girl from her unconscious state, and as Link slaughtered the last Bokoblin, her eyes opened, revealing their beautiful, sapphire color. At the sight of her current state, she screamed loudly and flailed about. This caused her to soon fall to the ground, where she groaned. “Jeez…” she spoke to herself, “…what a girly reaction that was, Tetra… At least no one was around to witness it.” She turned, and when she did, she found herself face-to-face with Link.

 

“Hi,” Link spoke and waved.

 

“Yah!” Tetra shouted and fell back. She growled. “What’s the big idea sneaking up on me like that?”

 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Link knelt down and held his hand out to help Tetra up. She quickly smacked his hand away and stood up herself, brushing herself off.

 

“Well, anyway, where am I?”

 

“Outset Island, in the Fairy Woods to be exact.”

 

“Fairy Woods?”

 

“Hoy! Miss Tetra!” a male voice shouted loudly. Tetra turned to see a tall man standing nearby. He wore a green shirt that had a V-neck to it along with a pair of white pants and a bandana around his head. He had a muscular build and was jumping around to try to get Tetra’s attention.

 

“Tetra?” Link asked. “Is that your name?”

 

“Yeah,” Tetra spoke, not really paying attention to Link. “Hoy, Gonzo, come here!”

 

The man quickly rushed up to Tetra. “Oh, Miss Tetra, we thought we had lost you.”

 

“Why? What happened?”

 

“Well, that bird carried you off. We tried to fight it and get you back, but it was moving too fast. It dropped you here on the summit of this island.”

 

“Dropped me on the summit, huh?” Tetra thought for a moment. “Wasn’t that nice of it?” She turned to Gonzo, noticing he was staring at Link now. “Come on, we have to repay our debt to that bird.”

 

Gonzo turned to watch Tetra rush off. “Wait! Miss Tetra! What about this boy? You just going to leave him?”

 

“Yes, he’ll be fine!” Gonzo bit his lip and looked to Link, then turned back in the direction Tetra had run off. He quickly followed behind, and Link rushed after them. It took them all a moment to get back outside the forest, but when they did, Tetra looked around, examining the landscape. “Now where do we go?”

 

“Onii-chan!” Aryll shouted. Link turned to see Aryll standing on the other side of the bridge.

 

“Hey! Aryll! She’s okay!” Link shouted back. “Come over here!”

 

Aryll quickly rushed forward to cross the bridge in front of her, but fate would have other plans. A loud squawk was heard as the giant bird from before flew forward at the group. Its eyes locked onto Aryll, and it flew towards her. Its giant talons gripped her and picked her up, tearing through the bridge as it did. The bridge snapped apart, and soon pieces fell into the water below.

 

“Aryll!” Link shouted. He growled and rushed forward. “You won’t get away from-” Link’s sentence was cut off as he found himself soon stepping off land. Tetra quickly rushed over and grabbed Link’s hand before he fell too far, and she pulled to try and pull him up.

 

“Stupid kid!” Tetra shouted. “She’s gone! There’s nothing more you can do for her!” Link could only watch as the giant bird flew off, taking with it his only sister. Tears came to his eyes as Tetra pulled him up onto the land. He immediately began to cry and Tetra just groaned. “Crybaby!” she spoke.

 

Link turned, his face suddenly expressing anger. His tears stopped and he grabbed Tetra. “My sister was just kidnapped!” he shouted. “How do you expect me to react? She’s the only family I have other then my Grandma! She’s my little sister! Don’t you understand?” He growled and let Tetra go, turning away.

 

Tetra just stared. She had been in fights before, what pirate hadn’t? But this was strange to her. Link cared so much for one person, one child. So what if it was his sister? Was family really that important? How could that even be possible? But then…maybe she didn’t understand…because she herself had no family to worry about. Thoughts then hit her. What about her pirates? Weren’t they family to her? They treated her like a queen, and like a mother. They were like her children, even though she was the youngest in the group. Would she feel the same way if one of them was suddenly stolen away before her eyes?

 

Tetra shook her head. She didn’t want to think about it. “Look, kid, just tell us how to get down now,” she spoke.

 

“I’m not a kid,” Link spoke up. “And my name is Link.”

 

“Link, eh? Fine, then, Link, how do we get down from here?”

 

“There’s only two ways down. One is through the bridge that bird just busted. The other…” Link looked over the edge of the summit. “If you’re no good at climbing, you won’t survive.” With that, Link pulled himself onto the side of the mountain and slowly climbed down. Tetra followed after, and Gonzo followed last. All three managed to make it down fine, and Tetra and Gonzo began to head back to their ship. “Wait.”

 

Tetra turned around. “Yes?”

 

“Take me with you.”

 

“What?!” Tetra shouted. “Are you kidding me?”

 

“You’re going out to sea, right? Going over that bird? Let me come! I need to rescue my sister.”

 

Tetra shook her head. “Where do you get off telling us what to do? On top of that, we are pirates, understand? P-I-R-A-T-E-S! Pirates! The scourge of the seas! Robbers of all that is good! What would we get out of taking a crybaby like you with us? A headache and nothing more!”

 

Link growled. “But it’s your fault my sister was stolen away from me!”

 

“Excuse me?” Tetra shouted, she was mad now. “How is it my fault?”

 

“He has a point,” a male voice spoke and Tetra and Link both turned. There they saw a man standing before them. He had a rather human body, but he had a beak upon his face. He seemed to have white hair, and his skin was rather dark. He wore a purple tunic and, what seemed to be, feathers came from the tunic and down his arms. “Sorry, I do not mean to interject into another’s conversation, but I could not help but overhear your words. You were, after all, talking quite loudly.”

 

Link and Tetra now looked around, noticing that they had, in fact, gathered the attention of a good portion of the island. They then turned back to the strange man at their sides. “And you would be?” Tetra asked.

 

“I am Quill, the postman.”

 

“And what gives you the right to butt into other people’s conversations?” Gonzo asked.

 

“Please, I do not mean to be rude by jumping in, and I will most certainly explain myself if you are silent for but a moment.” Tetra and Gonzo nodded. “Now, you see, I am the postman, and as such, I wonder around the islands hearing all sorts of things. The main thing I have heard is that that bird from earlier has been kidnapping girls with long ears. If my eyes are not mistaken, there are many here with long ears, that young girl included.”

 

Tetra gulped. She knew where this conversation was about to go. “If I am not mistaken, Miss Fearsome Pirate,” Quill spoke, “you also have long ears.”

 

“Y-yeah…” Tetra spoke.

 

“Then it is my assumption, then, that the bird mistook that girl for you, being both blonde and having long ears. Thus, I must assume that, if you hadn’t arrived, that bird would not have taken that girl away, and this island would continue to live like normal.”

 

“So…you’re saying it’s my fault?”

 

“Something like that, but not in such rude terms. I am simply saying that, if you had not arrived here, the girl would not have been taken. Thus, it is probably best if you make up for your troubles by taking this boy along to rescue his sister.”

 

Tetra sighed and closed her eyes. “I understand you’re point.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Fine, but under one condition.”

 

Link turned back to Tetra. “Which is?”

 

“None of this crybaby stuff. Simply put, you can come with us, but I don’t want you crying about how you miss your family, or wish you could see them or anything like that. So, I will give you a chance to say good-bye to your family before we shove off. Once we leave, though, you won’t be coming back for quite some time.”

 

Link nodded. “I understand.”

 

“Very well, then go on. We’ll wait here for you.”

 

“Also,” Quill spoke up and they turned. “I forgot to mention this, but that bird is said to be making its nest on the Forsaken Fortress.”

 

“The Forsaken Fortress?” Tetra shouted, once again catching the attention of most of the island. She bit her lip. “Damn it…that’s not good.”

 

“Such language for a girl.”

 

“Yeah, well, it’s called ‘Sailor’s Mouth’. You get it from being a pirate. Besides, it’s really not that bad a word…”

 

“That is also true.”

 

“So…what’s the Forsaken Fortress?” Link asked.

 

“It used to be the home of some pirates we used to compete with,” Tetra spoke. “But they’re not operating anymore…something else took over…something even more terrible. If she’s there, then it will be even harder to rescue your sister.”

 

“I’m not afraid,” Link spoke.

 

“You sure? There will be monsters, you know?”

 

Link nodded. “And I’m not afraid of monsters.”

 

“Courageous…” Tetra spoke. “And wearing green clothes…” She shrugged. “Eh…anyway, you have something to do. Be back here in ten minutes. We ship off then whether you are with us or not.”

 

Link nodded and turned around. He rushed back to his house, where he opened the door and looked inside. “Grandma!” he shouted.

 

“Up here, Link!” Grandma shouted and Link quickly climbed the ladder up to the top. “What’s up, Link?”

 

“Grandma…” Link looked down. “Aryll was kidnapped…”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s true…there was this big bird. It captured a girl and was flying over our island. Then pirates shot it, so it grabbed Aryll instead. I’ve worked things out and am going to go rescue her.”

 

“Link…”

 

Link hugged his Grandma. “I’m sorry, Grandma…I’ll make sure to bring her home safely.”

 

Link’s Grandma nodded and tears formed in her eyes. “Then…take that shield…” She pointed to a small shield on the wall. “Take it and go.”

 

“Thank you, Grandma. I’ll be back with Aryll, I promise.” Link grabbed the shield and strapped it to his back. “Good-bye for now, Grandma.”

 

“Good-bye, Link.” The two hugged one last time, and Link rushed off. After the appointed time, the entire island gathered to wave farewell to Link as he waved from the deck of the ship. The ship began to move away from the island, and Link continued to wave, his eyes getting teary.

 

“You sure you want to do this?” Tetra spoke in a snot-nosed tone. Link turned to see her sitting there behind him. She had her arms pushed back to hold up her weight, and had her chest pushed out. “If you say something now, we can send you back easily enough.” She sat up and pulled her arms behind her head, still pushing out her chest. It appeared she was either trying to be sexy, or she was just trying to keep Link’s attention. In either case, Link was left to stare at her.

 

“I mean, honestly, if you’re going to get all teary-eyed now, you might as well not come. There’s no real point. You’re just going to way us down.”

 

Link rubbed his eyes and put on a serious face. “I’ll be fine,” he spoke in a slightly annoyed tone.

 

“All right.” Tetra stood to her feet. “Then here’s the deal. While you’re on this ship with us, you’re part of our crew. Since you’re the new guy, it means you’re the bottom rank. You’re the lowest of all of us here, which means you’ll work with the previous lowest, Niko. He’ll tell you what to do, how to do it, and that’s how you’ll do it. Understood?”

 

Link nodded. “It’s understood.”

 

“Good.” Tetra turned. “Now that that’s out of the way. You can find Niko downstairs. I’d say I expect you two to work, but since Niko’s only interest is playing games, I doubt you’ll get any work done.” Tetra then followed those words up by pulling off her jacket and tossing it at Link. “Here. One of your jobs will be doing laundry, so here is your first piece. Niko will show you what to do. At least, if I give you a task, I have a better chance of you completing it.”

 

Link looked down at the vest in his hands, then up at Tetra. He sighed. This was going to be one strange adventure, he was sure of that. He was willing to take it, though, if it meant rescuing his sister from the hands of whatever lied at the Forsaken Fortress.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 3: The Forsaken Fortress

 

 

Tetra made her way into the cabin of the ship. She sighed as she entered her chambers and sat down upon her bed. She closed her eyes, then, after a moment, she turned to a picture that was hung up next to her. “The Hero of Time…” she spoke as she stared at the picture. It was a picture of a boy in green holding a sword above his head. Light shined from him, and the words around it were all of an ancient language lost to time.

 

“Did you finally return after all this time? Or is this boy just some random kid?” Tetra stood to her feet and walked over to a small dresser of sorts. Upon it were some jewels, which she pulled out of a small box and placed around her neck. She then closed her eyes and let her imagination go from there.

 

Everything around her seemed to vanish, and when Tetra opened her eyes, she was a princess in a castle. She stared out of a window and waved to a boy in green, wielding a rather impressive sword. She continued to allow her imagination run, and she imagined herself being rescued by the handsome man in green, and watching him battle against an evil wizard to rescue her.

 

It was then her imagination seemed to rewind. “No, no, no, that scene just isn’t right,” Tetra spoke as she watched the scene rewind. A bow appeared in her hand and she smirked. “That’s better.” The scene started over again, with the hero rushing at the wizard. She pulled her bow back and aimed forward, launching off an arrow at the wizard as well. The wizard now found himself with two enemies to battle, and so he switched to two swords.

 

“Hero!” Tetra shouted. The hero turned to her and she smiled. She tossed the bow away and drew a sword. “Let’s fight together.” The hero nodded, and the two charged forward at the wizard. Swords clashed, and finally, Tetra delivered the final blow. She smiled as she watched the wizard before her crumble to dust, and she turned back to her hero. “Thank you for rescuing me.” She grew close to kiss him.

 

“Miss Tetra!” a voice shouted, and Tetra broke from her imagination.

 

“Ugh…” Tetra pulled the jewels off and stepped out of her chamber. “What is it?”

 

“Miss Tetra,” a man spoke as he ran up to her, panting. He was fairly short and wore a gray and white striped shirt along with a pair of green pants. He wore an orange bandana around his head, along with a pair of cracked glasses.

 

“What is it, Mako?” Tetra was worried. No one eve ran to find her unless it was absolutely important.

 

“It’s Niko and Link…” Mako held up Tetra’s purple vest. It was covered in some sort of gunk. “They were fooling around while doing the laundry.”

 

Tetra stared and sighed. “So…you came to me for this?”

 

“Err…yes…”

 

Tetra turned away. “Just take care of it. Have them clean up their mess and start again. I really don’t need to be involved.” She walked back into her chambers.

 

“Right,” Mako spoke just before Tetra shut the door, then turned and walked off. Tetra returned to her imagination, and Mako dealt with Niko and Link. Finally, about two hours later, Tetra was met with a knock to the door.

 

“What is it?” Tetra asked.

 

“It’s Niko and Link,” a male voice responded.

 

“You finished the laundry properly?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tetra opened the door a moment later and looked out. Link stood there, holding a basket of sorts, and next to him was a man wearing a red and white striped shirt. He had blonde hair that was barely visible behind his blue bandanna, and he wore green pants. He had a fairly dumb look to himself, and the word incompetent probably fit best with him. “Let me see.” Tetra shut the door behind her and stood there, looking at them. She didn’t let anyone into her chambers.

 

Link opened the basket and Tetra began to dig through it, checking how the clothes were. “You missed this one.” Tetra tossed a white shirt at Niko. The shirt was covered in dirt.

 

“S-sorry, Miss Tetra,” Niko spoke.

 

“The rest look good.” Tetra grabbed the basket. “Take that one back down and stick it as dirty laundry. I don’t wear it often enough to care about it right now.” She opened the door to her chambers and put the basket inside, shutting the door afterwards. “Now, you two haven’t been playing games or anything this whole time, have you?”

 

“N-no, Miss Tetra,” Niko spoke.

 

“You better not have been. I’m tired of you fooling around all the time, Niko. There is work to be done aboard this ship, so it must be done. You should not be fooling around all the time.”

 

“Understood, Miss Tetra.”

 

“As for you,” Tetra turned to Link, “you’ve been doing a good job here so far. I’m impressed. You haven’t been crying have you?”

 

“No,” Link spoke.

 

“Very good. We should be at the Forsaken Fortress soon, so you’ll be able to-” Her sentence was cut off.

 

“Miss Tetra!” Gonzo shouted from above the boat. “We’re here! We’re here!” Tetra then managed to hear him mumble something along the lines of “Why can’t you just go down and tell her? I doubt she just heard me.”

 

“I’ll be up in a minute, Gonzo!” Tetra shouted. “You hear that, Link? We’re there, so report to the deck immediately.” Link nodded. “As for you, Niko, get to work cleaning the cabins. I want them all spotless, understood?”

 

“Yes, Miss Tetra,” Niko responded. Link and Tetra began to walk off, but Tetra stopped for a moment and turned back.

 

“Oh, and Niko, when I say all of the cabins, I mean all but mine.” Tetra was none too surprised to see Niko slowly opening the door to Tetra’s chambers.

 

Niko quickly shut the door and saluted. “Yes, Miss Tetra.” He then turned and walked off.

 

Tetra and Link then headed up to the deck of the ship. Once there, they noticed night had now set in. “Get up in the crows nest, Link,” Tetra spoke and Link nodded. He quickly climbed the ladder up to the crows nest with Zelda following behind him. Once both had arrived up there, Tetra leaned her arms against the railing and looked forward. “That is the Forsaken Fortress.”

 

Before them was a rather ominous place. Spotlights seemed to cover the whole of the island, constantly searching for intruders. The walls that lead into the island were tall, much taller then their ship. A single tower existed in the farthest section of the fortress, and seagulls could be seen flocking around a single window into the tower. “See that spot with the seagulls?” Link asked.

 

“Yeah,” Tetra responded.

 

“That has to be where they are holding my sister. They always had a fascination for her, and were always flocking around her at all times.”

 

Tetra looked at Link with a quizzitive look. “Why?”

 

“I don’t really know…they just always do…”

 

“Interesting,” Tetra spoke as she turned back to look at the tower. “Now we’ve got a problem.”

 

“What’s that?” Link asked.

 

“There’s no way in. Take a close look. There’s so many search lights and cannons, we’d be blown out of the water before we could ever get close enough to dock.”

 

“Then…how do we get in?”

 

Tetra folded her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. She thought for a moment. A smirk crossed her lips, and she opened a single eye, looking at Link. Link guessed this was some form of wink to tell him that she had a plan. “Come with me.” She climbed down the ladder, then whispered to Gonzo. He nodded and smirked. The next thing Link knew, he was getting grabbed and tossed into the cannon.

 

“What are you doing?” Link shouted.

 

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine!” Tetra spoke. “We do this kind of thing all the time!”

 

“R-really?”

 

“Not really,” Tetra spoke. Link was about to speak, but the cannon fired, and he found himself launching off. He screamed as he flew through the air, and Tetra just watched. A grin crossed her lips, and she closed her eyes. A moment later, Link found himself beginning to slowly dip down. Unfortunately, it seemed that he and his sword were now traveling at different speeds, for as he went down, his sword went forward, out of his sheathe, and flew forward, landing on the ground ahead. Link, on the other hand, just went down, slamming into the surface of the water below.

 

After a moment, Link floated to the top of the water, then paddled forward, pulling himself up to the nearest ledge. “Augh!” he shouted.

 

“Sounds like you’re okay,” Tetra’s voice spoke, but its source was unknown.

 

“Tetra?” Link called as he looked around.

 

“Look in your back pocket.” Link reached into his back pocket, and from it he produced a small, green, shining stone. “With this stone, I can see what’s going on around you and talk to you. You’ll see a rope, put that around your neck and wear the stone like a necklace.” Link blinked, but did as he was told.

 

“Good, now then, it would appear that we made a small miscalculation. Your speed dropped the further out you got, but apparently your sword didn’t. So, now you’ve kind of lost it.”

 

“I’ve lost it?” Link shouted.

 

“Hush!” Tetra spoke loudly. “Don’t yell! If you get caught, you’re in trouble. There would be no problem if you had a sword, but the fact is, you don’t. If you get caught, you’re in deep shit!”

 

“Wow…foul language for a girl…”

 

Tetra growled. “Again, I’m a pirate, we swear, get over it!” She then cleared her throat. “Now then, you’ll need to sneak through until you find your sword. Don’t get caught by anything.”

 

“Right.”

 

“Your sister is in that tall tower. Get your sword, get to it, and get out of there, understood? Don’t dillydally.”

 

“Understood.” Link sighed. “Here we go.” He walked forward, making his way up the steps in front of him. As he looked around, he noticed the direction in which the tower was, as well as where the spotlights seemed to check. He bit his lip, and, at the one moment the spotlights split apart for only a single moment, he rushed forward, rushing between the gap and ducking into a nearby doorway.

 

Link bit his lip once more as he now found himself in a large, empty room. There were no hiding places, but there also seemed to be no guards either. He noticed there were two hallways, and he quickly pulled himself up against a wall and looked through the hallway. “What are those?” he whispered. In front of him were strange, pig-like creatures, but they walked on two legs.

 

“Moblins,” Tetra spoke. “They are not an easy target, and without a sword, you won’t be able to do anything to them…Get back to work!” The last part seemed like a sudden outburst, and Link jumped back. The Moblins had heard, and they were now making their way over to where Link was trying to hide. “Oh, jeez, I’m sorry!” Tetra whispered. “I was yelling at the pirates…”

 

“Does this thing pick up everything you say?” Link asked.

 

“Only if I forget to break the link with it.”

 

“Then we’ll have to work together. You need to be quiet if I am to be quiet.”

 

“Watch out!” Link turned, and his eyes caught on one of the Moblins. It had just come out of the hallway and hadn’t spotted him yet. Link bit his lip, and the Moblin turned to his left. Link turned, now noticing a barrel that sat nearby. Grabbing it, he quickly flipped it and tossed it over himself.

 

The Moblin finished turning, and its eyes searched left and right. “Nothing!” it shouted.

 

“Maybe it was your imagination!” the other Moblin spoke.

 

“Our imaginations, since we both heard it. It might have been a rat.”

 

“Sounds rather intelligent for a Moblin…” Tetra whispered so quietly Link could barely even hear her. “Moblins usually don’t even talk in complete sentences!”

 

“Well, come on, let’s go back to the normal patrol, otherwise we might miss something,” the second Moblin spoke.

 

“Yeah, I guess…” the first Moblin spoke.

 

The two Moblins turned in, and Link quickly looked out of a small hole in the barrel. Once he saw they were gone, he pulled the barrel off and gave a sigh of relief. “That was close…” Link spoke.

 

“It’s not over yet,” Tetra spoke, “We’re nowhere near the end of this place. Plus, we didn’t really escape them yet. You just evaded them for now. So, what are you going to do now?”

 

“Not get caught,” Link spoke and dashed forward, rushing down the other hallway, which seemed empty. On the other side, he found himself in a large bunker. He looked around and noticed that he could get to the top floor by climbing one of the beds. “Nothing’s here, so if I move fast enough, I should be fine.” With quick speed, he grabbed one of the beds and quickly climbed up to the top bed. From there, he grabbed the second floor ledge and pulled himself up onto it.

 

Link made a quick dash out, then looked around. The path was clear straight forward. He made a quick dash forward, opening the door on the other side of the path before him. Once inside, he found himself stopped by two Moblins. They were patrolling the area just in front of him, and he quickly moved against the wall to avoid being seen.

 

Link bit his lip. The two Moblins were patrolling right in front of the door he needed to enter. As he looked around, Link noticed a small barrel nearby. “Tetra,” he whispered.

 

“Yeah, Link?” Tetra whispered back through the stone.

 

“You said Moblins are normally stupid, right?”

 

“Normally, but those other Moblins didn’t seem so dumb.”

 

“I’m going to have to take a chance and hope these ones are dumb.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I’ll explain later.” Link quickly grabbed the barrel and pulled it over himself. He peeked out of a hole in the barrel and sighed. “Here goes nothing.” He slowly and carefully made his way forward. As he snuck forward, the Moblins before him continued their patrols. He bit his lip as he got close to them.

 

“Duh…hey!” one of the Moblins shouted. Link quickly dropped down, causing the barrel to drop to the ground and completely cover him.

 

“What is it?” the second Moblin asked.

 

“Duh…I thought that barrel moved…”

 

“Barrels don’t move, you blockhead.” The Moblin turned. “Although, now that you mention it…wasn’t that barrel over there before?” Link bit his lip more as he began to become afraid that his plan may have been discovered. He heard the footsteps of the Moblin, and he quickly peeked out of the hole, seeing the Moblin making its way towards him.

 

Link felt the Moblin grip onto the barrel, and so he quickly grabbed the sides of the barrel, pushing with all his might to keep himself inside the barrel as he noticed it slowly lift up. “Shit, shit, shit,” Link spoke in his head.

 

“Duh…doesn’t look like anything is in the barrel…” the first Moblin spoke again.

 

“Looks like it…unless…” the second Moblin spoke and Link bit his lip even harder, repeating his swearing faster in his mind. “Nah…that’d be impossible.” The Moblin set the barrel down and Link gave a sigh of relief. The Moblin then turned back to its comrade. “Nope, nothing in the barrel, back to patrol.”

 

“Duh…roger…” the first Moblin spoke. Link carefully peeked out of the hole and noticed both Moblins had their backs turned. He quickly lifted the barrel and rushed forward. Once he was out of sight, he lifted the barrel off and opened the door quietly, sneaking through it.

 

“That…was too close…” Link spoke as he gave a sigh of relief. His heart was pounding.

 

“I take it your plan worked?” Tetra whispered.

 

“Almost didn’t, but yeah, it worked.”

 

“Good, now keep going.”

 

“Of course.” Link stood to his feet and began to walk forward. As he walked, he followed a path forward that led to a small cliff that was very narrow, and was actually too narrow to walk along normally. Link bit his lip once more and closed his eyes. “Why does this place have to be filled with so many death traps?” he asked himself, then pushed himself against the side of the wall. He carefully pushed himself along the side of the wall, moving ever slowly. “If I get seen here, I’m dead meat,” he spoke.

 

Luckily, for Link, there was no such problem. He made it across the narrow path and onto a set of stairs that led up. He followed the stairs up and soon found himself staring at a massive door. In front of the door lied his sword, and his eyes went wide as he saw it. He quickly rushed over and grabbed it, giving a sigh of relief. “Got my sword back,” he spoke to Tetra.

 

“Good, then you must be near the Prison Tower,” Tetra responded.

 

“Yeah, I’m-”

 

“Lousy pirates, don’t just stand there, there’s cleaning to be done!” Tetra shouted rather loudly, and Link quickly tried to cover the stone in an attempt to muffle the noise.

 

“Tetra!” Link shouted in a whisper.

 

“Sorry, Link,” Tetra whispered back.

 

“Anyway, I’m at the door into Prison Tower right now, so I should be able to save Aryll.”

 

“Good, then make sure you do. It won’t be easy, though, you know? So be careful.”

 

“Of course.” Link then stepped forward, pushing the door open slowly.

 

“My Onii-chan will be here any minute to save us,” a female voice spoke. It sounded like Aryll.

 

“What makes you so sure?” another female voice asked.

 

“Because, my Onii-chan is very brave and very strong, and he’d do anything to save us.”

 

The second female laughed. “I doubt that very much. We’ve been trapped here for days now, and you’re brother hasn’t shown up at all.”

 

“Onii-chan will come!”

 

“Oy! Enough with the Onii-chan!” a third female voice shouted. “Look, kid-”

 

“Aryll,” Aryll interrupted.

 

“Look, Aryll, no one is coming to save us. No one at all. Not a single person will be-” There was then a loud crash as Link slipped through the doorway and fall upon the ground. As Link looked up, he noticed he was now in a large, circular tower. A wooden path led up to the top of the tower, and at the bottom of the tower, the room was mostly empty, having nothing more then a large cage which held about four different girls; Aryll was one of them.

 

“Onii-chan!” Aryll shouted as she stood up and grabbed the bars of the cage. “He’s here!”

 

“That’s your brother?” one of the girls asked. She looked to be dressed in rather rich clothes, and it was obvious this was the second girl from before.

 

“Yeap, that’s him.”

 

“Doesn’t look like much to me.”

 

“You take that back!”

 

“Hey!” a third girl, dressed in rags shouted. She was the third voice. “Quit it, you two. It’s obvious he’s here, so let’s give him a chance, all right?”

 

“Feh…” the rich girl spoke and turned away.

 

Link stood to his feet and waved to Aryll. “I’m coming!” he shouted. He took a step, then something caught his ear. He looked around as he carefully made his way across the room. Suddenly, he looked up, and he found the source of the sound. It was the giant bird from before, and it quickly landed on top of Link, gripping him in its talons. “Let me go!” he shouted.

 

The bird squawked and flapped its wings, flying up. Link hadn’t noticed before, but there was no ceiling to the tower. The bird flew high as it reached, what appeared to be, the back half of a boat. It dropped Link down, then flew next to him. He looked up, finding himself face-to-face with a man in a long black robe. The robe was covered in a red tunic from the waist up, which was then covered by a black jacket. The man had dark skin, and a gem upon his forehead. His hair was short, and a deep red color, while also having a beard.

 

“What is this?” the man asked. The bird squawked in response. “Tried to rescue the prisoners? How…courageous…” The man picked Link up by the arm, and Link winced in pain. “You wear the clothes of the Hero, yet you have not the mark. What kind of game are you playing at boy?”

 

“Game?” Link asked. “I only came to save my sister.”

 

The man laughed. “Your sister? How wonderful. How bold, but you are not the one I seek.” The man tossed Link forward, and the bird caught him. “Get rid of him.” The bird squawked and tossed Link up. It caught him in its beak, then flung its head, tossing Link away. The man sighed. “Are you the one, boy? I suppose we’ll see soon enough, won’t we?” The man turned, opening a door he had built into the side of the boat, then entered, shutting it behind him.

 

* * *

 

“Ain’t that Link?” Niko asked.

 

Tetra looked up as she saw Link go flying overhead. “What the hell?” she shouted. “Damn it, go after him! I don’t know what happened, but he would.”

 

“All right, Tetra,” Gonzo spoke as he turned the wheel hard to one side and the ship began to turn.

 

“All hands on deck!” Tetra shouted. “Pull the sails down and let’s go! Who knows what that bird could have done to Link!” The other pirates quickly scrambled and went to work on moving the ship. Tetra growled. “Link, you better be alive…I’ll kill you if you aren’t.”

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 4: King of Red Lions

 

 

“Link, wake up,” a voice spoke, and Link groaned as he stirred. “Link!” Link’s eyes shot open and he quickly sat up. He looked around a moment, examining his surroundings.

 

“Where am I?” he asked. He looked down, noticing he was now upon a small boat of some kind. As he looked at it, he noticed the boat was red in color, and had a long neck in the front that seemed to lead to a face of sorts. It looked like a human face with long gray hair, along with two yellow horns that stuck up at the top.

 

“You are on Windfall Island,” the voice from before spoke and he looked around.

 

“Who’s talking?”

 

“I am,” the voice spoke, and the boat’s head turned to look at Link. “I am the King of Red Lions,” the boat spoke and Link fell back in shock.

 

“A talking boat?”

 

“Yes, I am a talking boat. The only talking boat in existence, for that matter.”

 

“How can you talk?”

 

“By magic. It is the way I was designed, and my creator cast magic upon me to make me able to talk.”

 

“Interesting…” Link blinked.

 

“Not only that, I am very special. My magic allows me to take objects of normal, everyday use and turn them into ship parts. For example, if you had a grappling hook, the magic on me would create a crane that you could control.”

 

“What’s a crane?”

 

“I’m…not quite sure…I apologize…those were the words my creator spoke…I am sure that…she…would know more then I…”

 

“Where is your creator?”

 

“Gone from this world now…” The boat gave a sigh.

 

“I see…” Link looked down. “You said you’re the King of Red Lions, right?”

 

“That is correct.”

 

“Mind if I just call you ‘King’ then?”

 

“Certainly,” the boat nodded.

 

“All right.”

 

“Now, I know you were trying to rescue your sister in the Forsaken Fortress, yes?” King asked.

 

“That would be correct,” Link spoke. “But that bird captured me…and then there was this weird guy…he said something about ‘the Hero’ saying I wore the clothes, but I wasn’t, because I didn’t have the mark.”

 

“So, that’s it then. That man is a cruel man who has been around for centuries. He is a dark man who once tried to take over a grand kingdom. His name is Ganondorf, they call him the King of Evil.”

 

“King of Evil?”

 

“Yes. He’s a powerful foe, and there is but a single weapon that can defeat him.”

 

“What weapon is that?”

 

“The Master Sword. It was forged by the ancient sages long ago to be used against evil. It is the only thing that can harm a Wielder of the Triforce other then another Wielder.”

 

“Triforce?” Link asked. “That word…sounds familiar…” He put his hand to his chin and thought.

 

“It’s not that important at the moment. To get the Master Sword, we will need to get three special objects; Din’s Pearl, Nayru’s Pearl, and Farore’s Pearl.”

 

“All right, and where do we get those?”

 

“Dragon Roost Island is where we will get Din’s Pearl. It is said the Dragon God, Valoo, holds Din’s Pearl. Of that, I am uncertain, thus we will have to find out.”

 

“Well then, what are we waiting for, let’s go.”

 

“You sure seem in a hurry.”

 

“I want to save my sister. I don’t know what Ganondorf has planned with her, but it can’t be good…”

 

“It is most likely nothing, due to the fact that Ganondorf is probably not capturing them to harm, but to find someone.”

 

“Find someone?” Link asked.

 

“Yes, the Keeper of Knowledge,” King spoke.

 

“Keeper of Knowledge? Who is that?”

 

“The Wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom. It is a special title the Triforce bestows upon the one it chose. If you are the Chosen One of Wisdom, you are the Keeper of Knowledge. If you are the Chosen One of Power, you are the Forger of Strength. If you are the Chosen One of Courage, you are the Juror of Courage.”

 

“And why would he think my sister is the Keeper of Knowledge?”

 

“It’s not just your sister. He believes the Keeper of Knowledge will be a girl with long, pointed ears, much like she was back in the old days. She would also be blonde, at least, almost all of the past Zeldas have been.”

 

“Zelda?” Link asked quickly.

 

“The Princess, of course. Her name is Zelda.”

 

“You’re sure of that? What if her name is something else?”

 

“Unlikely. All of the past Zeldas have been named that, and all the future ones will likely be named that as well.” Suddenly, a small hatch opened on the boat, and a large mast rose from it, as if by magic. It clicked into place, then opened into a sail. The wind caught on the sail, and Link and King were off into the ocean.

 

“Now, we’re going to Dragon Roost Island,” King spoke. “which is off to the east of this island. It’s a good thing the wind is blowing east. Now, you see that little handle behind you?”

 

Link turned, seeing a wooden handle behind him. “Yeah,” Link responded.

 

“Grab it. I cannot turn myself, so you will have to steer. Pull it left, and we will go right. Push it right, and we will go left, understood?”

 

“Right is left and left is right, got it.”

 

“All right, then watch for anything that we could easily crash into, and we’re off!” King and Link continued to sail from there, heading further into the east. As an island slowly appeared in the distance, Link looked upon it in awe, as he noticed the mountain rose up high into the clouds.

 

“That’s a tall mountain over there,” Link spoke.

 

“That mountain’s really not all that tall. It used to be a lot bigger…” King spoke, his voice trailing off.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah…really…” It took them what seemed like hours to get to the island, and could have very well been just that. As they approached the island, the sail dropped down into the hatch, and King slowed to a stop. “This is where we get off. Well, rather, you get off. Since I can’t leave the water.”

 

“Understood,” Link spoke, nodding.

 

“Now, before you go, check inside me back there. You should see a little silver thing.”

 

Link bent down, searching the floor of the boat. After a moment, he picked up a small silver baton, the sides of which seemed to be shaped into wind. “I see it.”

 

“That is the Wind Waker. You will need it after this.”

 

“What’s it do?”

 

“Hop onto land, and I’ll show you.”

 

Link nodded and pocketed the Wind Waker. He got out of the boat, then walked up onto the land. He then pulled it out, looking back at King. “So, what does this thing do?”

 

“Using the Wind Waker, you can compose the air.”

 

“Compose the air?” Link asked, confused.

 

“Yes…that’s basically what it does anyway. You wave it, like a conductor. The very wind itself will obey what you conduct, and if you know how to, you can even control the wind, make it move in different directions.”

 

“And how do I do that?”

 

King opened his mouth, then shut it as he thought. “I really haven’t a clue. It was used last by a great king. He would conduct the wind to do as he wanted, and it would aid the land greatly. Furthermore, the baton is considered the highest conductor’s baton, thus, any person who plays an instrument will play whatever you conduct, no matter what.”

 

“Wow, that’s amazing. So I just have to wave it to conduct, right?” Link waved the Wind Waker in the air, and it was almost as if the wind itself played a note. He waved it once more, this time in a different direction, and the wind seemed to play another note. “Wow…so I can literally play music with the wind?”

 

“In one case, yes, but its very limited in that way. If you know what to conduct, you can command the wind to blow in any direction.”

 

“Amazing.” Link stared at it, then quickly pocketed it again.

 

“Be careful with it now,” King spoke. “That Wind Waker is probably going to be the most important thing to your mission. If you lose it, all will be lost. Grip it tight when you wave it, or it might fly out of your hand. If that happens in the ocean, we’d never be able to retrieve it.”

 

Link nodded. “I understand. How do I learn how to use it properly?”

 

“It was created by the Wind Gods, Cyclos and Zephos. They are said to have monuments around here that, if the Wind Waker is brought to them, will summon the Wind Gods. There, they shall teach you the powers of the Wind Waker, and how to conduct with it properly.”

 

Link nodded. “Then I need to find Din’s Pearl, and I need to find the monuments, right?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Understood. I’ll be back when I have the pearl.”

 

“Goddess speed, young one, and be careful, Valoo is an old and wise dragon, but if you threaten him, he will get angry. We must get the pearl peacefully, and he is the one who has it. Understood?”

 

Link bowed. “Understood.”

 

“Then go, young Link, and may the Goddesses themselves aid you in getting the pearl.” With that, Link turned and walked forward. He was heading deeper into Dragon Roost Island, and all Link had no idea what adventure awaited ahead of him.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 5: The Princely Delimma

 

 

Link groaned as he made his way up a long, winding path that led higher into the mountain. “How long is this path?” he asked, staring forward. “Wait…is that Quill?” Link quickly rushed forward, making his way forward. He stopped once he found himself on a wooden outlook. There, leaning against the ramp was Quill, the postman. “Quill!”

 

Quill turned and smiled. “Hey, there,” he spoke. “You know, I don’t believe I caught your name last time we met.”

 

“Link, my name is Link.”

 

“Link, eh? All right, then. So, why have you come here?”

 

“Well, I have to find something called Din’s Pearl. I’m not sure where it is, but this boat told me it was with Valoo.”

 

“With Valoo? Well, I don’t know of any pearl that Valoo has. However, I do think I know of what you mean. Unfortunately, it would be out of your grasp at this time.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Valoo has been acting strangely lately. He has suddenly gotten angry for unknown reasons and is now attacking anyone who comes near him.”

 

“That’s terrible.”

 

Quill nodded. “But, this is a Rito problem. Best you go on your way.”

 

“But I need that pearl, I’ll help any way I can!”

 

“Hmm…” Quill put his hand to his chin and thought for a moment. “I will speak with the Chieftain. Go that way, you’ll find the entrance to our domain over there.” He pointed to a small cave entrance that was visible not too far away. “Just follow the path. I will go inform the Chieftain of your arrival. It must be you, though, who persuades him to let you help us.” Link nodded in response and Quill held out his arms, the feathers on his arms extending into large wings. He then took off and flew upwards. Link turned, now following the path forward and through the cavern.

 

Link had arrived just shortly after Quill, and even noticed as Quill spoke with the Chieftain. After a moment, he walked forward, bowing. The Chieftain was a tall man, about as tall as Quill. He wore a gray robe that covered him from the neck down, and also wore a red tabard over the robe that had strange symbols on it. He had gray hair that was down to his shoulders, making him appear fairly old, and he was like any other Rito, having a large beak in the middle of his face. “So, you are Link?” the Chieftain asked.

 

“Yes,” Link spoke, bowing.

 

“I see…and you think you can solve our problems?”

 

“If I knew what they were, then there would be a chance, yes.”

 

“Our problems…” The Chieftain sighed. “The Great Valoo is acting up, growing angry and attacking any who go near him. This would not be such a problem, if it were not for the Great Valoo’s importance to our tribe.”

 

“And what importance is that?”

 

“The Great Valoo’s scales are what give us our wings. When a fletchling reaches its adult age, it is to climb the mountain and take a scale from the Great Valoo, giving it wings. However, if the fletchling cannot get a scale from Valoo, that fletchling will never have wings, and if the process continues, our entire way of life could be destroyed.”

 

“That’s terrible,” Link spoke.

 

The Chieftain nodded. “However, this is a Rito problem, not a Hylian problem.”

 

“I want to try, sir,” Link spoke, standing strong and positioning himself in a position of courage. “I want to show you that I can help.”

 

The Chieftain stared for a moment. “You’d be willing to risk your life to help us?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Such courage…” The Chieftain closed his eyes. “I wish my son had that…Perhaps that’s it. You must go to my son and show him courage.”

 

“I…think I can do that…” Link spoke, a little unsure.

 

“I wrote my son a letter not too long ago…I gave it to Valoo’s attendant…It was to my son…I hate to admit it…but I have not the courage to deliver it myself, so I gave it to her to deliver. She is supposed to give it to him later, but perhaps it would be best if you gave it to him instead, since you need to visit him anyway.”

 

Link nodded. “And where is the attendant?”

 

“Up there.” The Chieftain pointed to a cave passage up on a higher level. “Get the letter and deliver it to my son, who is over there.” He then pointed to a passage behind him.

 

“Understood.” Link turned and headed up the winding path to the second level. He entered the passage, and much to his surprise he found himself in a rather squared-off room. It looked much like an office of sorts, with a desk and everything.

 

“Hello,” a female voice spoke, and Link looked forward. In front of him was a beautiful woman that looked about his age. She wasn’t much shorter then Link, just an inch or two, and her brown hair was long and pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a dark blue, short-sleeved dress which was then covered in part by a tabard, much like the Chieftains, though having a few different designs. Link noticed she had a fairly well developed chest, but the main thing he seemed to notice was the harp she was holding. The bottom seemed to be made of fine gold, while it had long wooden pieces that came from it, attaching to a silver bar at the top which held the strings to the gold piece.

 

Link’s eyes stared at the girl before him, and the girl titled her head, then waved her hand in front of Link. He snapped out if it as some of the feathers on her arm brushed against his face. “Err…hi…” he spoke, rubbing the back of his neck.

 

“Something wrong? I said hello, then all you did was stare…”

 

“Err…no…nothing’s wrong…” Link waved his hands in protest. “I just…was a little caught of guard is all.”

 

“By my beauty?” the girl asked, pushing her back against Link. He blushed and all he managed to speak out after that was strange, incoherent babbling. The girl giggled and smiled as she pulled away from him. “My name is Medli, what’s yours?”

 

“M-my name?” Link stammered for a moment, then cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “My name is Link.”

 

“Link, huh? Cute name. So, what can I do for you?”

 

“Well, I just saw the Chieftain, and he said you had a letter from him that you were supposed to give to his son.”

 

“Ah, the letter to Prince Komali, yes.” Medli nodded and quickly strapped the harp to her back. “Let me see.” She searched through a few letters on the desk, then pulled one out. “This one, right?” She held it out for Link to see.

 

“Yeah, looks like it. I’m supposed to go take it to…you said his name was Komali?” Medli nodded at that. “He wants me to try and teach him courage, and he figured, since I’m going that way, he’d make it easier on you and just have me deliver the letter.”

 

“Well, that does make sense.” Medli gave a nod and handed the letter to Link. “Here you go, then.” Link grabbed the letter, but Medli didn’t let go of it. “Umm…before you take this…can I ask a favor?”

 

Link blinked. “A favor?” he asked.

 

Medli nodded and looked down. “It’s…kind of embarrassing actually…you see…I’m Valoo’s attendant…but the bridge is broken…and I can’t get across to see him…”

 

“So what should I do?”

 

“I’ll explain that later. Just promise to meet me at the entrance to the Dragon Roost Caverns once you’ve helped Komali, okay? It’s the passageway right under this one.”

 

Link nodded. “Sure, it shouldn’t take long…at least I hope not.”

 

Medli nodded. “All right. I’ll see you there then.” She let go of the letter and Link pocketed it carefully. Link then turned and walked off, heading back down the path, then off into the passageway that the Chieftain had spoken of. It led him down a long path, finally ending at a large door, which Link pulled open, peeking in.

 

“Hello?” he called out.

 

“Go away!” a boy’s voice shouted.

 

“Umm…Prince Komali…is that you?”

 

“I said go away!”

 

Link sighed and slowly walked in, looking around. The room was definitely a royal bedroom, filled with all kinds of expensive looking drapes and decorations. A bed lied on one side, along with a chest for storage on the other. “Prince Komali, I know you’re here…I just want to talk to you for a moment. You’re father sent me with a letter.”

 

“Father did?” the blankets of the bed seemed to fly off as a boy sat up in the bed. The boy looked rather young, wearing a white tunic that covered his arms and body, along with a pair of blue pants. He had brown hair that was fairly short, though the odd thing about his hair was how it seemed to go from brown in the back to gray in the front. In his arms, he gripped a small red ball of sorts, upon it was the Symbol of Power, which looked like a wave of wind.

 

“You’re Prince Komali?” Link asked as he looked at the boy.

 

“Yes,” the boy spoke, nodding. “I am. You said you had a letter from father?”

 

Link nodded and handed the letter to Komali, who opened it and read through it. “Have courage…easy for him to say…he’s not facing against a dragon who attacks anyone who comes near it…”

 

Link sighed. “Tell me about this, Prince Komali. How does this ritual of yours go?”

 

“The Coming of Age Ritual?” Komali asked and Link nodded. He looked down. “We have to climb the mountain and go up to Valoo, the Dragon God up there at the top. He’s normally peaceful, and he understands we need his scales to survive, thus willingly gives them up to us…but now he’s become fierce. No one has been able to get a scale from him in a month.”

 

“That’s terrible.”

 

“And worse still…” Komali looked down. “If we don’t get the scales…we can’t fly...the scales are what give us our wings.”

 

“Then any of you who have wings have already gone through the process?” Komali nodded at that. “Interesting. At what age do you do it at?”

 

“Sixteen…” Komali spoke and sighed. “I just turned sixteen last week…but I can’t possibly go up there…”

 

“What about that ball you have? I’m a little curious about it.”

 

“This? It’s precious to me. It listens to what I say and understands. Father doesn’t. So I keep it close to me at all times.”

 

“Listens to you?”

 

Komali nodded. “This is Din’s Pearl, and it’s said that anyone who has it can talk to Din herself…”

 

“Talk to Din herself?”

 

“Yes, Din, the Goddess of Power, one of three who forged our world. You don’t know any of that?”

 

“Actually…I really wasn’t told that part of the story…my family just celebrated someone called the Hero of Time…”

 

“The Hero of Time is the Chosen One of Farore, Goddess of Courage.” Komali sighed.

 

“Komali…what can I do to help you have courage?” Link asked as he sat down on the bed next to Komali. “There must be something. You can’t always cower like this…”

 

“Yeah?” Komali spoke, a somewhat angry tone in his voice. “Well, if you want me to have courage, then show me courage. You go up there and you meet with Valoo yourself.”

 

“Meet with Valoo, huh?” Link turned and looked away.

 

“Not even you can, can you?”

 

“I can do it!” Link spoke, standing up and holding his fists up. “Watch, I’ll do it, and then you’ll have the courage to do it.”

 

Komali stared at Link for a moment. He was surprised at Link’s courage. “Then…if you can do it…I will, too. But you have to do it first!”

 

Link nodded. “Then I’ll do it.” He smiled and turned. “I’ll meet with that dragon for you, then you’ll see there’s nothing to be scared of.” He rushed forward, and Komali watched as he rushed out of the door.

 

“Link…” Komali spoke and hugged the pearl in his hands. “I wish I could have courage like you…”

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 6: Dragon Roost Cavern

 

 

“Medli!” Link shouted as he ran out of the passageway, and into a large opening. As he entered, he noticed that there was a cliff that lead to one side, then dropped down at least thirty feet. A little ways from there was another cliff that rose up to about the same height and had a path that continued onward. At the edge of both cliffs were railings that blocked anyone from going further, save for one spot which held a, now collapsed, bridge.

 

Medli stood at the edge of the cliff, standing right next to the broken bridge as she stared off to the other side. Ashes seemed to fly throughout the area, blowing in all directions. Medli turned after hearing Link’s voice, and she smiled when she saw him. “Over here, Link,” she spoke, waving.

 

“Medli!” Link quickly rushed to her side. “I’m here.”

 

Medli giggled. “I noticed.”

 

“What did you need me for?”

 

“Well, you see how this bridge is out?” Medli pointed down.

 

“Yeah, what about it?” Link asked as he stared at the bridge.

 

“Well, there used to be a lot of water right here between the cliffs, but in his anger, the Great Valoo caused a part of the mountain to shatter, and it caused the water flow to stop, and now, with all the heat, the water has evaporated. To make it even worse, the only way across, the bridge here, has been ruined as well. There’s no way across without wings…but even my wings can’t cross.”

 

“Why not?” Link asked as he turned to look at her.

 

“Because, my wings aren’t strong enough…I’d need a strong current at my back. But, if you lifted me, I might be able to get across.”

 

“Lifted you?”

 

“Yes, lift me up, then throw me when I say so, and I should be able to get across.”

 

“That sounds like a good plan. Is this the only way to Valoo, though?”

 

“Yes, why?”

 

“I promised Komali I’d get up there, too.”

 

Medli put her hand to her chin and thought for a moment. “Ah! I know!” She grabbed a small pouch from her dress, then opened it. She reached it, and from it she produced a long length of rope, along with a grappling hook. “Throw me over there, then I’ll use this to help you across, sound good?”

 

Link nodded. “Sure…but…how did you fit that in that small pouch?”

 

“It’s magic,” Medli spoke as she smiled, then gave a giggle. “It has a special spell on it that allows me to stick anything in it that I want, and it shrinks the items down so that they fit.”

 

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

 

“Yeah…but the rope gets tangled a lot…I have to be careful.”

 

Link nodded. “All right, you ready, then?”

 

“Yeah.” Medli knelt down and Link slowly lifted her above his head. She extended her arms, and they quickly became wings. She looked down, then noticed Link was quite red. “Something wrong?”

 

“Just…trying to be modest…”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Well…I can see under your dress if I look up…” Link spoke, turning his eyes off to the right.

 

Medli turned red at those words. “I…didn’t realize…you weren’t looking were you?”

 

“N-no! I mean…not after the first time…but that was an accident!”

 

Medli turned an even deeper shade of red now. “Well…l-let’s just get this over with…”

 

“R-right…whenever you’re ready.”

 

Medli felt the wind begin to blow behind her. “Now!” she shouted and began to push against Link’s arms. At the same moment, Link pushed his hands forward, making Medli launch forward across the chasm. She flapped her wings quickly, and after a moment, her feet landed safely on the other side. She quickly pulled her hands down, making her wings close up once again. She then turned back to Link and waved.

 

“All right, now what?” Link shouted.

 

“Grab onto this!” Medli shouted back as she tied the rope onto one of the railings. She then twirled the grappling hook in her hand as she took aim, then tossed it across the chasm. Link quickly grabbed onto it and waved. “Now, just jump!”

 

“Jump, right…” Link jumped forward, and he felt himself beginning to fall as the rope tightened and he arced forward. He then noticed the side of the cliff approaching quickly, and he quickly stuck his legs out, closing his eyes. He felt his legs hit the side of the cliff, and for a moment, his body froze in place from the shock. After a single moment, though, Link opened his eyes, finding he now only had to climb to get up.

 

Quickly, Link began to pull on the rope as he climbed up the side of the cliff. Medli gripped the rope and began to pull as well. After a moment’s climb, Link had made it up the side of the cliff and over the railing, giving a sigh of relief as he looked up at Medli. “That…was kind of freaky…”

 

“Sorry, but it was the only way to get us both across.”

 

Link nodded. “It’s fine…just remind me to be a little more prepared for that sudden stop at the wall next time.” He chuckled a little, and Medli giggled in response. He then stood to his feet and looked forward. “All right, now where do we go?”

 

“Along this path. It will lead us to Dragon Roost Cavern. Once there, we just have to make it through and climb up to Valoo.”

 

“Doesn’t sound too hard.”

 

“It really shouldn’t be. About the only thing you have to worry about inside the caverns is the Keese.”

 

“Keese?” Link asked.

 

Medli nodded. “Big black things that hang from the ceiling. They have big wings and fly around and screech at you.”

 

“Ah, ok.” Link and Medli then walked forward, making their way down the pathway until they got to another cave entrance. After walking inside, they found themselves face-to-face with two Bokugoblins. Link quickly drew his sword and jumped in front of Medli. “Stay behind me.”

 

“What are those things?”

 

“I’m not sure, but they’re not something nice either. I’ve fought a couple of them before.” Link took a few steps forward, and the Bokugoblins turned to look at him. They growled, then roared, rushing forward. Link quickly brought his sword up to block one of them, then quickly jumped to the side to avoid the attack of the other. He then performed a roll to the side, which got him behind of the Bokugoblins, and with a quick jump, he brought his sword up the back of the beast, which caused it to collapse to the ground, dead.

 

The other Bokugoblin roared and rushed forward, and Link quickly jumped into the air. The monster watched as Link flew over its head, bringing his sword down to strike the monster right in the head, taking it out. He then landed perfectly on the other side of the creature. He smiled and sheathed his sword. “There.”

 

“Terribly gruesome,” Medli spoke.

 

“Well…you got to do what you got to do I suppose,” Link spoke.

 

“Still…the way you cut those creatures up…” Medli shook her head in disgust.

 

“I doubt that’s the last of them, though.”

 

“That’s what worries me.” Medli sighed, then stepped forward. “Come on.” She walked forward, heading through an archway ahead of her which led to a large room. The path led over to a long bridge, and off the path, down several feet below them, was lava, bubbling hot below them. “Don’t fall down…”

 

“Now that is disgusting…” Link spoke.

 

“What?” Medli asked.

 

“The thought of falling down there…You fall into the lava, your skin burns away, then all your muscles and bones, and in the meantime, you’re basically still alive during the whole process, up until it takes out any vital organs and kills you.”

 

Medli shivered at those words. “Eww…now that you mention it that is gross…”

 

The two of them then made their way slowly across the bridge. It was an old rope bridge, having been there for who-knows-how-many years. Pieces of it had burnt away in the height of the room, while other pieces looked as if they were ready to burst into flame at any moment. Other pieces seemed fairly new, so signs of the bridge having been repaired over the time it was there.

 

Link drew his sword as they crossed the bridge, watching the ceiling for anything that could attack while they crossed. They noticed a few Keese here and there, but none bothered to attack, thus they left them alone. As they progressed further, they made their way into another room that was pitch dark. The only light was coming from a nearby torch. “Link,” Medli spoke, grabbing him.

 

“What is it?” Link asked.

 

“Take that torch, that way we can see. I don’t see any other light source ahead of us.”

 

“Got it.” Link grabbed the torch and turned, looking forward. The path continued on a ways before it finally came to an end with a rather large opening. Light poured through, and Link tossed the torch to the ground and rushed forward. Once through, they followed the path up the mountain, until they reached the top, where a circle of railings were. At one side of the circle sat Valoo, roaring loudly and stomping his feet, breathing fire into the air.

 

“Great Valoo!” Medli shouted and rushed forward. She stopped in front of him, and Valoo looked down. “Valoo’mashta,” Medli spoke as she bowed.

 

“Kinash, jea net haru?” Valoo spoke as it looked at Medli.

 

“Medli ye delei jea.”

 

“Medli…” Valoo then roared and stomped its feet again. It looked up and released flames into the sky. Medli stepped back a little, then pulled her courage up and looked at Valoo once more.

 

“Valoo’mashta, inuse ye haru? Ofenai net kuue?”

 

“Ani ofenai mihal!”

 

“Valoo’mashta, Rito oyan ofenai.”

 

“Ani ofenai mihal, akakai jyun befai.”

 

“Befai jyun akakai?” Medli almost shouted in shock. She bit her lip and looked down. “Zei Rito haru. Valoo’mashta, yoki neui tain?”

 

“Alu, kar hei melu hege befai.”

 

“Zoirun, Valoo’mashta.” Medli bowed and rushed back to Link.

 

“What…was all that about?” Link asked, blinking in confusion. “I didn’t understand a word.”

 

“Sorry, the Great Valoo speaks in ‘the Old Language’ as he calls it. I had to study it to become the attendant.”

 

“Interesting, and what did he say?”

 

“Something has the Great Valoo’s tail, and continues to pull on it. Something under the mountain. It causes him pain, and before he can settle down, we will need to kill whatever it is.”

 

“Then how do we get down there?” Link drew his sword as he spoke those words. “I’ll take care of it.”

 

“You’ll need this to get down there.” Medli handed Link her pouch. “The grappling hook is inside. Go down this path, and you’ll find a small branch hanging out of the mountain. Hook to that, and swing across. There will be a passage under that which leads up some stairs. At the end of those stairs, you will find a passage that leads right underneath the Great Valoo.”

 

“Question…why wasn’t that place sealed up? And why does Valoo hang his tail through a hole in the mountain?”

 

“You’d have to ask Valoo the second question. As for the first, I really don’t know, sorry.”

 

“It’s all right, I wasn’t really looking for an answer anyway.” Link quickly tied the pouch onto his belt, then turned. “I’ll be right back.” Medli nodded and waved as he then walked off. He followed Medli’s instructions, taking the path down a ways until he came to the branch. Using the grappling hook, he quickly caught the branch, then pushed off, flinging himself over onto another path. He then pulled the grappling hook back, then rushed forward, entering the passage before him.

 

The room Link now found himself in was dark. On the other side he could see a room lit by magma, and he quickly rushed through, entering the larger room. He looked up, finding Valoo’s tail hanging down from above him. The room, however, was completely empty, and Link bit his lip as he looked around. Suddenly, a large creature jumped from the magma in the center of the room, moving up and grabbing Valoo’s tail and pulling on it. Link heard Valoo roar in response, and begin to stomp around.

 

The insect then dived into the lava, just in time to avoid parts of the ceiling from collapsing on it. It then popped up once more and roared, now seeing Link upon the ground. “That’s a big bug…” he spoke as he now noticed the beast looked like some form of large worm with long, spider-like legs. The beast brought two of its legs down on either side of Link, then roared loudly as it grew close to him. Link quickly jumped onto the creature’s head and it stared at him. “Die, sucker,” he drove his sword down, but the creature quickly closed its eye, and the sword seemed to clang against a solid sheet of armor.

 

“Damn…it!” Link shouted the last word as he went flying across the room as the creature flung its head up. In a desperate move, he grabbed onto Valoo’s tail, making Valoo roar once more and begin to stomp around. This caused more of the ceiling to collapse down, this time striking the creature a few times. Cracks in the beast’s armor appeared where it was struck, and Link smirked as he quickly jumped down onto the creature.

 

The hits from the ceiling had also knocked the creature out, causing it to lie upon the edge of the magma. Link quickly rushed to one of the cracks and drove his sword down, causing the creature to roar loudly as it flung its head back once more, sending Link flying into the air. Once again, he grabbed onto Valoo’s tail, causing the dragon to stomp around once more, and causing more of the ceiling to collapse upon the insect’s body. This time, a rather large rock had crushed down onto the creature’s face, and it fell back into the lava.

 

“Did I kill it?” Link asked as he stared down. After a moment, the insect jumped out of the magma once more, flying upwards at Link. He noticed the entire front sheet of armor had shattered from the rock, and he quickly let go of Valoo’s tail and drove his sword down into the beast’s head.

 

The insect twitched for a moment, then fell forward, landing against the ground hard. Link rolled off of the insect and against one of the walls, only to witness as the creature sank into the lava, taking his sword with it. “Well…crap…” was all Link spoke as he witnessed his sword melt away within the magma.

 

Link stood to his feet and sighed. “I…think I killed it that time…” He waited a few moments, but when he watched as the creature’s dead body floated to the surface of the lava, he knew he had won. He turned, gave a sigh, and walked off, heading his way back up the mountain to meet with Valoo and Medli once again.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 7: The Waker of the Winds

 

 

“Valoo’mashta,” Medli spoke as she stared up at Valoo. Valoo had now been calm for several minutes, and even Valoo himself was surprised at this. “Valoo’mashta, net tain oi?”

 

“Ani reshi ka oi, Medli,” Valoo spoke. “Dilei befai ye na domume ofenai.”

 

“Baezu miare.” Medli smiled and gave a sigh of relief.

 

“Medli!” a voice shouted, and Medli whipped around quickly. Her eyes met with Link as he ran up to her. “I’m back,” he spoke as he doubled over, panting heavily.

 

“I see that,” Medli spoke and giggled. “You like to speak the obvious a lot, huh?”

 

Link stood up now and rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah…I guess I do…”

 

“So…what happened?”

 

“Oh yeah! There was this huge creature…and it tossed me…and I grabbed Valoo’s tail…and the rocks fell…and I stabbed it in the eye…and…and…it ate my sword!”

 

Medli blinked. “It…ate your sword?”

 

“Well…actually…I stabbed it in the eye…and it fell over…and then I hit the wall…and…I kind of hadn’t pulled my sword from its eye before it fell into the lava…”

 

“Oh dear…that’s not very good, is it?”

 

“No, especially since that was a special sword…and now it’s all melted and gone…”

 

Medli giggled a little. “You know, you’re kind of cute.”

 

Link blinked and blushed a little. “Th-thanks…”

 

“Fugal Hei, ani gensae ikroma kennga ali hei ofenai dilei befai,” Valoo spoke.

 

“Eh…what?” Link asked.

 

“He says thank you for killing the creature who was attacking his tail,” Medli translated.

 

“Oh…in that case…your welcome…” Link rubbed the back of his head.

 

“Valoo’mashta, Link oyan naggen.”

 

“Net tain ali Shinlu Hei ke Farore?”

 

Medli blinked, then turned to Link. “He asks if you are the Chosen One of Farore?” she translated.

 

Link blinked. “Chosen One of Farore? Like…the Juror of Courage?” he asked. “I…don’t have the Triforce of Courage if that is what he means…”

 

Medli turned back to Valoo. “Chen aun maff zeu ali Triforce ke Courage, Valoo’mashta.”

 

“Na, ani fatei maff zeu rendelne chen dea zeu mii. Fugal Hei, haru iste tain kian?”

 

“He asks ‘what do you seek’?” Medli translated once more.

 

“To save my sister from Ganondorf,” Link responded, and Valoo’s eyes shifted, now looking intently and more directly at Link.

 

“Dea daireh chell reinel jiise Ganondorf, Valoo’mashta.”

 

“Ganondorf…” Valoo looked down. “Ije, ani o xaji krai…” Valoo sighed. “Tain soia garno dea bii ali Master Sword dea daireh tiiua reinel.”

 

“He says ‘you will need to get the Master Sword to save your sister’,” Medli translated once again.

 

“I know of that,” Link nodded. “I need three pearls to get it. I was told Valoo had one.”

 

“Chen oyan chen garnozu ae xami jiise tain dea bii mii.” The look on Medli’s face showed she was getting tired of translating between the two.

 

“Ani ihuen mi idea Komali sonen ae mishal min,” Valoo spoke.

 

Medli sighed. “He says he gave it to Komali a while ago,” she translated.

 

“Then that is what Komali had…” Link thought for a moment. “All right…thank you, everyone, I think I know what to do now.”

 

Medli gave a sigh of relief at the thought that she would not need to translate anymore. “That’s good. What do you need to do?”

 

“Get Din’s Pearl from Komali…I’m sure I can get it from him…now that he’ll have courage to come get a scale from Valoo.”

 

Medli nodded. “It sounds good to me. I’ll help you get back down, and we can talk to him.”

 

“Thanks, Medli.”

 

“Fugal Hei,” Valoo spoke suddenly and Medli groaned at the thought of having to translate more. She hoped this would be short. “Tain soia garno dea kian hengu ali Aki Jeilzu. Daru soia yoki tain bii dea dukku tain garno dea je.”

 

“The Great Valoo says…” Medli sighed. “‘You will need to seek out the Wind Gods. They will help you get to where you need to go.’”

 

“Okay…any idea where they are?” Link asked.

 

Medli thought for a moment. “Umm…” After a moment, she turned to Valoo. “Valoo’mashta, dukku net ali Aki Jeilzu?”

 

“Daru zeu umeshuzu re ali ikronremei ke ali ahun,” Valoo responded.

 

“‘They have monuments on the backside of the island,” Medli translated.

 

“The backside of the island, huh?” Link spoke. “All right, we’ll go there as well, then. Umm…hey, Medli…what’s the word for ‘Thank you’?”

 

“‘Thank you’? That’s ‘gensae’.”

 

Link nodded and turned to Valoo. “Gensae, Valoo’mashte.” He gave a bow, and Valoo bowed his head in response. He then turned to Medli and smiled. “Let’s go.”

 

“Ok.” Medli smiled back and the two turned and began to head back down the island. After a time, Medli had Link pick her up once more, then flew them the short distance from there back to the Rito Domain.

 

“Oh, Link, there you are, how did the talk go with my son?” the Chieftain asked.

 

“Good, and I made a promise to meet with Valoo to show him my courage,” Link replied.

 

“And how did that go?”

 

“We discovered Valoo was actually not angry with anyone. He was simply agitated because something kept pulling on his tail. I killed it, and now he’s fine.”

 

“Really?” a voice asked and the Chieftain and Link turned. Komali was now standing behind his father, his arms wrapped around Din’s Pearl. “Is that really what happened?”

 

“Yeah,” Medli nodded. “Link bravely went in and killed the beast.”

 

Komali looked down. “I wish I had courage like that…”

 

Link smiled and put his hand on Komali’s shoulder. “You can, but you need to take it one step at a time,” he spoke. “If all you do is clutch that pearl and hide yourself away in fear, you’ll never have any courage. Use what courage you have, and when you have, more will come to you.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

Link nodded. “It’s how I got my courage.”

 

Komali nodded and looked down at Din’s Pearl. “Then that’s what I’ll do.”

 

“Oh yeah, Prince Komali, is it all right if I could have that pearl you have?”

 

Komali looked up at Link and blinked. “Why?”

 

“Well, for one, you won’t need it anymore. And two, I’m actually on a quest to get all three of those pearls. I need them to rescue my sister.”

 

Komali looked back down at the pearl, then back up at Link. “Ok, you’re right, I don’t need to hold onto it anymore…I think…having this…made me less courageous anyway…” He handed the pearl to Link. “Just don’t lose your courage while you have it.”

 

“I won’t, I promise,” Link smiled and took the pearl into his hands.

 

“Oh, Link, that Grappling Hook, go ahead and keep it,” Medli spoke. “You’ll need it more then I will. Keep the pouch as well, it’ll just be easier if you have it all.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Medli nodded. “Absolutely.”

 

“All right, then. I guess all that is left is to check out those monuments.”

 

Medli nodded. “I’ll show you where they are.” She turned and began to head out the front entrance to the domain, and Link followed close behind. They took the path down the mountain, finally reaching the bottom of the island. It was there that a small path existed that led behind the island and to two small monuments that looked similar to gravestones. “Oh no!” Medli shouted at the sight of them.

 

“What’s wrong?” Link rushed forward to look at what she saw. Before them lied only one monument. Upon it was the word “Zephos” followed by some strange symbols. Next to it lied the second monument. It had been shattered, the stones of the monument lying all across the ground.

 

“Someone destroyed the monument to Cyclos!” Medli spoke rather loudly, worry gripping her voice. “Cyclos must be enraged by this!”

 

Link bit his lip. “An enraged god would be terrible…” he spoke as he looked back. He then examined the monument to Zephos for a moment. He noticed the strange markings looked oddly like the Wind Waker, and were formed in a certain pattern. He quickly gripped the Wind Waker and pulled it out, holding it forward.

 

“What’s that?” Medli asked as she looked at it. “Is that a conductor’s wand?”

 

Link nodded. “It’s the Wind Waker.”

 

“The Wind Waker?” Medli shouted. “That hasn’t been seen in many hundreds of years. Where did you find it?”

 

“My boat found it…I guess…” Link rubbed the back of his head in nervousness as he now turned to look at Medli.

 

Medli put her hand to her chin. “What did you find on that monument?”

 

“Instructions…I think…” Link turned back to look at the monument. “Let’s find out.” He rose his hands, then began to wave the Wind Waker in the same pattern as monument showed. As he finished, the wind seemed to completely stop, then Link waved the Wind Waker one last time. With the last wave, the wind began to blow in the direction the Wind Waker pointed. “I can control the wind…” he spoke, feeling the wind on his back now.

 

“That you can,” a voice spoke and Link turned. Much to his surprise, he was met by a large frog about as big as him. The frog seemed to float upon a cloud and its skin was the typical shade of dark green as most frogs have.

 

“Wa!” Link fell back as he found the frog was now only a few inches from his face. “Who are you?”

 

“I am Zephos, one of the Wind Gods.” The frog bowed. “Sorry for startling you.”

 

“It’s all right.” Link nodded.

 

“With the song you just learned, you can command the wind to blow however you wish. Blow up, blow down, blow left or right, it doesn’t matter. Also, with the learning of this song you have become the new Waker of the Winds.”

 

“And…what does being the Waker of the Winds mean, exactly?”

 

“It means you are destined to be a hero in some way or another, whether small or large, you will be a hero. Ah, and as another note…be warned while sailing out on the seas. Cyclos has become enraged by the destruction of his monument and has sent cyclones all over the Great Sea. Most are insignificant, but some are grand cyclones that will catch you and suck you in. I pray you never encounter one so great…but if you do, use your eyes hard, for Cyclos exists within and your only hope of freedom would be to defeat him.”

 

“Defeat him? How do I defeat a god?”

 

“If you hold fast with courage, and you look hard with your eyes, and you think with your wisdom, you will be able to defeat him. That is all I can say.” Zephos then waved at Link. “It is time for me to leave, farewell.” Before Link could speak another word, Zephos had blown away with the wind and vanished from sight.

 

“Waker of the Winds, huh?” Link looked at the Wind Waker, then back in the direction Zephos had flown. “Thank you, Zephos,” he spoke, then turned back. “It’s time for me to leave as well, Medli.”

 

Medli nodded. “You will always be welcome here,” she spoke. “Farewell.”

 

“Farwell. I’ll return one day…once I’ve saved my sister.”

 

“Then I’ll see you then.” Medli then turned and flew away, while Link returned to the King of Red Lions to continue on his adventure once more.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 8: The Forest Haven

 

 

“You what?!” King shouted as they sailed through the Great Sea. They had just left Dragon Roost Island when Link decided to tell King about his adventure on Dragon Roost Island and how he had lost his sword.

 

“Honestly…it wasn’t really my fault,” Link spoke. “I stabbed the creature in the head, then it slammed me into a wall. I was partially knocked out as it sank into the lava.”

 

King gave a groan. “Without that sword, your mission will not be easy. We still have two pearls left to get, and if it was that difficult to get Din’s Pearl, who knows what it will take to get the others.”

 

“I know…”

 

King sighed. “Well…I guess it really can’t be helped anyway…”

 

Link watched around him as they passed a few more smaller islands. So far, there had only been a few islands large enough to sustain any form of life. “So now…which island are we going to?”

 

“It’s an island known as Forest Haven,” King spoke. “On the island we will find the Great Deku Tree – the Forest God – who holds Farore’s Pearl. Once we get that, then we have to go off to Greatfish Isle, where we will be meeting with Jabun – the Fish God – who holds Nayru’s Pearl.”

 

“Dragon God, Forest God, and Fish God…there’s a lot of gods in this world, aren’t there?” Link asked.

 

“Even though they are called gods…it is possible that they may just be glorified creatures…Ancient Lore suggests that Jabun used to be known as the ‘Guardian of the Zora’.”

 

“What’s a Zora?”

 

“An ancient creature that has now gone extinct from what I can see…I haven’t seen a Zora in a long time, and these seas are grand and could definitely sustain their kind of life.”

 

“So then…they were fish creatures?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“A fish creature that is extinct…yet there are such grand seas…What happened to them?”

 

“I don’t know, Link…I really don’t know…” King and Link continued to sail through the Great Sea, and Link noticed how the sun was beginning to set. There was still no sign of the island they were sailing towards, and Link was beginning to doze off. “Tired?”

 

“Yeah…with all that adventuring on Dragon Roost…and that battle…I’m feeling tired…”

 

“Well, once we reach Forest Haven and you’ve gotten Farore’s Pearl, then we will stop and rest for a while.”

 

“That sounds good.”

 

It was another hour or so before a rather large island appeared in sight. It looked much like a large forest built upon a tall mountain. Not only that, but it seemed there were two such mountains, each stretching up into the sky. One forest looked light and beautiful, while the island next to it looked mangled and cruel. It almost looked as if something evil had conquered the forest and twisted it into its current form.

 

“This is Forest Haven,” King spoke as the sail slowly came down and their speed began to slow. “The island next to it is the Forbidden Forest. I pray you only have to visit the Haven.”

 

“What’s in the Forbidden Forest?” Link asked.

 

“I don’t know…but it is said the Forbidden Forest is full of monsters. Without a sword, I do not think you will last.”

 

Link nodded. “I understand.”

 

“Now then, the Great Deku Tree is somewhere in Forest Haven. When you meet it, be sure that you are not rude to the Deku Tree. He is an ancient deity that has existed now for many centuries. If you offend him, it may lead to rather dire consequences.”

 

“Of course.” Link pulled himself out of the boat and onto the island.

 

“Well, then, head off and meet with the Deku Tree…with luck, we may be able to get Farore’s Pearl without incident.”

 

“Understood.” Link gave a bow then climbed up the island until he reached, what seemed to be, a small cavern entrance into the island. As he entered, he noticed how the cavern went up to the top of the mountain, then opened into the sky above. The entire area was green and lustrous, and all around was tall grass, flowing rivers, and beautiful flowers. In the center of the cavern lied a large tree that went high into the sky. “That must be the Deku Tree.”

 

Link began to walk forward, noticing how the ground led around the tree and up a few levels until the ground became even. He then turned, noticing a face-like structure upon the front of the tree. A rather large lily pad seemed to sit in the center of the river directly in front of the tree, and Link quickly hopped onto it, then turned to the tree. “Umm…Great Deku Tree?” he called out. “Is that you?”

 

The tree shook for a moment, then a booming voice was heard. “Kinash, mii ye miare dea fala tain mazen, Mekkou ke Piea. Mii jyun reemu ai dea domu zeshu ein lanome inau. Tain pinali omenti, bonel. Jyun akakai meitrane dea tain?”

 

Link stared forward. “Umm…I…don’t understand…”

 

There was silence for a moment, then the voice spoke once more. “I am sorry, I saw your clothes and I began to yearn for the times of old when I would commune with the Hero of Time. Might I ask your name, young one?”

 

“Umm…I’m Link. Are you the Great Deku Tree?”

 

“Yes, I am the Great Deku Tree, Diety of the Forest and Guardian of the Koroks.”

 

“Koroks?”

 

“Yes, the Koroks are my children.”

 

“Your…children?” Link asked as he began to try and visualize a race of tree-like creatures.

 

“Koroks! Come on out! This young one will not harm you.” With those words, several small leaves seemed to shift on the Deku Tree, and eight small creatures popped out. They all looked like small logs of sorts, each having stubbles for arms and legs. A large leaf covered their fronts, and in their hands each held a large leaf that allowed them to slowly float to the ground.

 

Link’s eyes went wide at the sight of such amazing creatures. “Wow…simply amazing!”

 

“These are the Koroks, and they are my children. Once the race of the Kokiri, the Children of the Forest, they have become the Koroks to survive here in this new land.”

 

“New land?” Link asked as he blinked. “What do you mean?”

 

“Ah, but that’s not really that important. For what reason is it that you have come here, Link?”

 

“Oh yeah! I came to get Farore’s Pearl. I need it to claim the Master Sword and save my sister.”

 

“Farore’s Pearl, you say?” the Deku Tree asked. “Yes, I do have that, actually. I would gladly give it to you, but it is essential to the Korok Festival. Perhaps…if you wait until after the festival? We will be beginning it soon enough.”

 

“That sounds fine,” King’s voice suddenly spoke and Link jumped.

 

“King?” Link asked as his head darted left and right.

 

“The stone,” King’s voice spoke once more. Link quickly grabbed the stone from around his neck and looked at it. It was now glowing. “Through this stone I can speak with you, see what you see, and hear what you hear, just as Tetra can.”

 

“Tetra…wait…Tetra!” Link shouted. “King…do you know anything about Tetra?”

 

“No, I simply know that she is probably still watching you, even at this moment.”

 

“Still watching me, huh?” Link put his hand to his chin as he began to think. “Tetra…I hope you’re okay…”

 

“She’s a pirate, I’m sure she’s fine.”

 

“How do you know so much about Tetra, King?”

 

“I cannot explain that at this time. Perhaps in the future.”

 

“Great Deku Tree!” a squeaky voice seemed to shout and Link looked up. “Big problems! Big problems!”

 

“Hollo?” the Great Deku Tree asked. “What is it?”

 

“It’s Makar,” a Korok spoke as it landed in front of the Great Deku Tree. This was Hollo. “We were flying here, and we took a shortcut over the Forbidden Forest, and he fell in!”

 

“What?” the Great Deku Tree shouted. “Why were you flying over the Forbidden Forest? I told you never to fly around there!”

 

“We knew we were late… so Makar suggested flying over the forest to go faster…then he fell in…”

 

The Great Deku Tree gave a sigh. “I see…” There was silence for a moment before the tree spoke once more. “Link, may I ask you to go rescue Makar, then?”

 

Link nodded. “Sure,” he spoke. “The Forbidden Forest is that island next to this one, right?”

 

“Yes…but be careful…there is great danger within. Also, you cannot get there on your own…” The Great Deku Tree rumbled loudly and a large leaf floated down from the top of the tree. “This is the Deku Leaf. Use it when there’s a strong wind at your back and you will be able to get to the Forbidden Forest.”

 

“Understood, Great Deku Tree.” Link then bent down and took the Deku Leaf into his hand.

 

“Hollo, show Link the way to the Forbidden Forest, but do not go with him. Just show him the way.”

 

“Understood, Great Deku Tree,” Hollo spoke, then turned to Link. “Come with me.” He then began to walk off towards a cavern.

 

“When you return with Makar, we will perform the ceremony and I will give you Farore’s Pearl,” the Great Deku Tree spoke. “And please hurry. We must have it returned before the day ends. Our ceremony must be performed tonight.”

 

“Of course, I’ll be back with Makar shortly, then.” Link then turned and walked off, following Hollo away from the Deku Tree and into a cavern which ended at the outside of the island. There was a small cliff edge that then extended out and pointed towards the Forbidden Forest on the other side.

 

“From here, you just need to fly over to that cavern,” Hollo pointed out a cliff edge that led to a cavern in the Forbidden Forest. “You’ll find Makar inside there somewhere.”

 

“The Forbidden Forest…what’s it like?” Link asked as he gripped the Deku Leaf in his hand.

 

“No one knows…but it is said that it was once a grand forest. They say something cursed it, though, and it became the Lost Woods.”

 

“Lost Woods?” Link asked as he looked at Hollo.

 

“Yeah…it goes by both the Forbidden Forest and the Lost Woods. It is said that any who enter are turned into Stalfos…”

 

“Stalfos?” Link asked.

 

“A nasty undead creature. It’s said to be nothing but bones and armor.”

 

Link turned to look up at the Forbidden Forest. “A creature of nothing but bones and armor…that doesn’t sound good at all. If those who enter the Forbidden Forest get turned into Stalfos, then you think there might be some in there right now?”

 

“There might be.”

 

“How would you kill one if there was?”

 

“That…I honestly don’t know.”

 

“Then…I guess I just have to hope I never run into one…How do I get over there?”

 

“The Deku Leaf. We Koroks can use it to fly, but you might not be able to because you’re so big. You might still be able to use it to float, though. If you had a straight wind, if you jump from here, you should be able to hit that cyclone just right out there on the ocean.” Hollo pointed out to a cyclone that seemed to be swirling nearby. “If you hit that, it’ll be a little rough for a moment, but assuming the wind stays going straight, you should be able to make it out of the cyclone and straight to the Forbidden Forest.”

 

“If I had a straight wind…” Link spoke as he thought for a moment. He then grabbed the Wind Waker from his side and held it forward. “The power to control the wind…” Link held the Wind Waker up to his face and closed his eyes. He then waved the Wind Waker around in the directions he had seen on the monument on Dragon Roost Island. The wind stopped blowing, and he aimed the Wind Waker at the Forbidden Forest, and the wind soon blew forward in the direction Link commanded.

 

“Now…to float…” Link gripped the Deku Leaf as he put the Wind Waker away. He held it up into the air, then closed his eyes. He could feel magic flowing through him, as if speaking on how to use the leaf. He brought his second hand up into the air, then rushed forward, jumping off the edge of the path. At once, the Deku Leaf grew outwards, bending down into Link’s second hand and forming a sort of parasail which then caught upon the wind.

 

Link’s eyes then opened as he found himself slowly floating through the air, moving in the direction of the wind. “It worked!” he shouted. “Yes!” It was then that he noticed how close he was to the cyclone. At once, he felt the cyclone lift him into the air as he swirled around the edge of it. He tried to scream, but he found he had no voice from the wind around him. After a moment, he felt himself being tossed from the cyclone, and his hands gripped the Deku Leaf harder, in a hope that he would survive.

 

At once the Deku Leaf once again caught on the wind, and he found himself floating towards the Forbidden Forest. It took only a moment more before his feet hovered over a small cliff that formed an entrance into the Forbidden Forest. At once, he let go of the Deku Leaf, and it returned to its normal form, allowing him to drop to the ground below.

 

“This is it, then, huh?” Link asked as he turned to the Forest, now noticing the entrance to the Forbidden Forest looked much like a face with its mouth open wide. “This mangled and rotten forest…it looks like the spawn of evil itself…” He sighed and summoned his courage. “No turning back now, Link. Let’s just hope that whatever lies inside, is something you can handle…” With those words, he stepped forward, stepping forward into the mouth-like entrance of the Forbidden Forest.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 9: The Forbidden Forest

 

 

“It doesn’t seem so bad so far…” Link spoke as he took a few steps. The inside of the Forbidden Forest was just as he had expected it to be, dark and depressing. The walls of the cavern that made up the inside of the Forest was covered in vines, and Link swore the vines themselves were alive, as they seemed to move as he stared at them. The room he had found himself in was a large, nearly triangular room. The path led forward and up a hill to a small cavern entrance.

 

Link’s eyes examined the room around him as he noticed he seemed to be the only living creature in the room. However, the sheer silence of the room frightened him. “Is it just me, or is it too quiet in here?” he asked himself as he stepped forward slowly.

 

“Be careful, Link,” King’s voice spoke through the stone around his neck. “You never know what evils could be lurking around, and you have no sword.”

 

“I remember King, don’t worry. I’m being careful.” He took a step, and suddenly, there was a strange noise, almost like slime oozing across the ground. He turned, stepping back a little in a hope to see where the noise was coming from, but he saw nothing. He took a couple more steps, as he turned a little, but once again, his eyes fell upon nothing.

 

Then, he heard it again, the sound of slime oozing across the ground. Then again, a moment after. Then a third time. He turned towards the Forest entrance, but his eyes fell upon nothing, but as he turned back to look straight ahead of him, three large, grass-green slime creatures rose up in front of him. “What the hell is that?”

 

“A Chuchu, be careful, Link, those things are very dangerous,” King’s voice spoke through the stone.

 

“It looks like its nothing but slime…”

 

“Yes, but it’s still quite dangerous. It’ll grab you and surround you in slime, then it’ll cut off your airways by pushing itself deep into your throat, gagging you until you die.”

 

“Well…that…would be bad then…” Suddenly, one of the Chuchus jumped forward and Link quickly jumped to the side, barely avoiding the creature. He quickly gripped the Deku Leaf tight and held it forward as magic began to talk in his mind once more. He rose the leaf above his head and pulled it back. As he did, the leaf seemed to grow in size until it was at least three feet long. His second hand gripped the stalk of the leaf and he brought his hands down, and as he did, a great wind blew forward from the leaf, pushing against the Chuchu which caused it to blew back and splat across the wall. “Did I kill it?”

 

Link only had a moment to ponder that thought before the other two Chuchus jumped at him. He quickly snapped out of his thought and jumped to the side, barely avoiding their attack. He once again swung the Deku Leaf, blowing the Chuchus up against another wall. “I got them…” He then noticed as the slime on the walls slowly oozed down to the ground, slowly forming together into a single pool of slime. “That…can’t be good…”

 

The slime rose, now as a Chuchu twice the size as before. “Oh shit!” Link shouted and quickly turned, rushing up the hill and into the entrance that seemed to go deeper into the Forbidden Forest. He ran for a couple minutes as he found himself getting deeper and deeper inside. He wondered how such a small island had such a large inside, but that wasn’t his main thought. His main thoughts were on escaping the Chuchu, and whether they were still following him.

 

After a moment more, he bent forward and began to pant as he turned back to look in the direction he had come from. He saw nothing making his way towards him, and the room he was in was silent. “Did I…lose it…?” he asked. Suddenly, there was a strange noise, almost like the hissing of a snake. As he turned, he was surprised when his eyes were not greeted by a snake, but instead by a large bug creature upon six legs. It looked similar to a rather large centipede, though it had only a single eye. “What the hell is that?” he shouted as he jumped back.

 

“Mothula Larva,” King’s voice spoke from the stone. “If that’s around, then be careful, I’m certain there may be fully grown Mothula around as well.”

 

“Wait…so this is a baby? And it’s already this big?” Link spoke the truth. The larva was at least two feet long, and was already almost as tall as him in height.

 

“Well, that one is probably done growing. It’ll probably be growing its wings soon.”

 

“Growing its wings?”

 

“Yes, it’s similar to a butterfly, only about twenty times bigger.”

 

“I can tell that!” The larva had, surprisingly, not moved much at all during this time. It just seemed to stare, its head tilted a bit. “Anyway, are these larva things dangerous?”

 

“Mothula Larva? No, not really, but once they grow their claws and wings then they become dangerous.”

 

“Claws?” Link asked.

 

“Yes, but they can’t use them unless they are flying. They can’t stand on any less then six legs.”

 

“I see…so the Larva I don’t have to worry about…”

 

“Not necessarily…”

 

“What do you-” Link’s sentence was cut off when he noticed the Mothula Larva in front of him turned around. When it did, it raised its backside into the air.

 

“Move, quickly.”

 

Link quickly jumped to the side as small black orb-like things shot out of the Larva’s backside, aimed at where Link had been moments before. “What the hell?”

 

“Those are Mothula eggs. If they get on you, they’ll stick. Once on you, they’re so heavy that they’ll weigh you down and keep you from moving. Then the Mothula or a Larva can come in and rip you apart with its claws.”

 

“I thought you said it couldn’t stand on less then six legs?”

 

“I did. It can charge at you when you’re stuck on the ground and it will run you over, and its claws will dig into you and rip you apart.”

 

“That’s…also not good…” The Larva turned to look at Link once more, and its eye seemed to show it was angry. “Angry Mothula Larva…I guess I should…” Link turned and began to run. “Run!” he shouted to finish his sentence as the Larva turned once more. Link just barely made it out of range as the Larva shot more eggs at him. “Glad I’m out of there.”

 

“Help!” a voice shouted and Link turned. It didn’t sound like it had come from too far away. “Help!”

 

“Whose there?” Link called out.

 

“It’s me, Makar!”

 

“Where are you?”

 

“I don’t know…”

 

“That doesn’t help…” Link muttered. “I’ll be right there!” he shouted. “Just stay put!”

 

“Easy for you to-” Makar went silent for a split second before… “KYAH!”

 

“Makar!” Link shouted and bit his lip. “Shit…not good…I’ve got to find Makar…I just hope that wasn’t a really bad scream…” At once Link rushed forward, running through the long, zigzag path in front of him. The further Link got, the more the vines around him seemed to move. “These vines…” he spoke as he ran some more. “It’s almost like…something is controlling them…from ahead!” Link turned as he ran into a small entrance, and inside, he found himself in a rather large, circular room.

 

Link’s eyes went wide as he noticed a rather large plant in the middle of the room that looked a lot like a large flower. Vines grew out from under it, moving into the walls nearby. Link recognized the vines as the same ones that were moving in the other passages. “Link!” Makar’s voice shouted rather loudly.

 

“Makar! Where are you?” Link stepped forward and one of his feet stepped upon one of the pedals of the flower.

 

“The plant…be careful!” At once, one of the vines ripped from the wall and whirled around Link’s legs. Link had no time to react as the vine pulled at his legs, pulling him up and into the air, dangling him above the ground.

 

“Ack! It’s got me!” Link struggled to free himself from the plant, but its grip on his legs was too tight. The other vines were now slowly pulling from the wall and rising up. Link now managed to notice that each of the vines had a long, scythe-like end, and each was aimed at him. “Oh…shit…”

 

“Watch out!” Makar’s voice could be heard shouting from nearby. The scythes grew higher, poising themselves for the strike. Link turned, and his eyes fell upon a boomerang stuck in some vines next to him. He quickly reached out and grabbed it, pulling with all his might at the scythes readied themselves to strike.

 

A moment later, they came down, aimed directly at Link. With a tough pull, and a loud grunt, the boomerang seemed to shine brightly and the edge became as sharp as a knife. With a quick move of his arm, Link freed the boomerang from the vines and sent the boomerang flying into the air, where it sliced the scythes right off the vines. It then returned to his hand, where the blade vanished as he grabbed it. “Wow…that was cool…”

 

There was a loud shriek from the plant as the pain of its vines being cut now struck the main plant. Link felt the vine around his leg lose its grip, and he found himself dropping to the ground a moment later. “Ow…” he groaned as he slowly pulled himself up.

 

The vines of the plant seemed to rise into the air once more, and the scythes seemed to slowly grow back on the edges of its vines. “Ah darn…” The scythes immediately shot forward and Link and he quickly jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding them. He turned and aimed the boomerang forward and tossed it. The edges once again became sharp as a knife and it cut straight through the vines of the plant. The boomerang then returned to Link’s hand, where he aimed at the main pod in the center.

 

“Take this!” Link shouted and tossed the boomerang forward. It cut right through the main pod of the plant, and as the leaves flew up, a small, head shaped bulb became clear. “Is that Makar?” Link asked, then noticed the boomerang seemed to shift in directions, as if by magic. It came straight down, digging its knife-sharp edges into the bulb. After a moment, the plant creature roared as if in extreme pain from the attack. The vines began to flail left and right, and the plant seemed to quickly rot away. The vines crumbled to dust, followed by the pedals, then soon the main pod crumbled away. “What…just happened…?”

 

Suddenly, the boomerang flew back at Link, where it seemed to slow, did a flip, then stopped in his hand. “This…isn’t a normal boomerang…”

 

“I am the Fairy Boomerang,” a female voice seemed to speak in Link’s mind. “I am controlled by your thoughts, though that does have its limits. I will always return to your hand, no matter what I have to go through. If I am unable to return normally, my magic will teleport me to your awaiting hand. My edges will become sharp as knives when I leave your hand, and I can cut through some things that even a sword could not cut through.”

 

“Amazing.”

 

“Just think of me, and think of where you wish me to go, and I will fly there when you throw me. Keep whatever it is in sight, and while I can still spin, I shall reach my target.”

 

“Do you mean that you will stop spinning after a time?”

 

“Yes, and at that time my magic will teleport me to your awaiting hand, where you may throw me once more.”

 

“That’s…kind of cool…” Link then turned. “Makar! Where are you?”

 

“Right here!” Makar shouted as he pushed a piece of rotted plant off of himself. “I’m right here.” Makar was small, like any Korok. However, unlike most Korok’s that appeared like logs, this one appeared almond shaped with a large leaf on its face. It had stubby little arms and legs, and it waddled as it ran forward to Link. “Thank you so much, sir.”

 

“Your welcome, Makar.”

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Link.”

 

“Did the Great Deku Tree send you here after me?”

 

“Yes, and while he’s not happy with you, I think he’s willing to forgive you.”

 

Makar smiled. “That’s good. So, can you help me get out of here, then?”

 

“Certainly.” Link picked Makar up and sat him on his head. The two then made their way back to the exit, where Link used the Wind Waker to change the wind and get them across the water and back to the Forest Haven. “We’re back!” he shouted as they entered the Forest Haven and stood in front of the Great Deku Tree once more.

 

“Makar!” the Korok’s shouted and rushed to see their friend, who Link set upon the ground.

 

“Good work in returning Makar, Link,” the Great Deku Tree spoke.

 

“Thank you, Great Deku Tree.”

 

“Makar!” the Tree spoke and Makar cringed. The Koroks quickly scattered away from him, and he stepped forward.

 

“Y-yes, Great Deku Tree?” Makar asked.

 

“I never want you to do that again. If Link hadn’t been there to save you, you might have been killed.”

 

“Y-yes, Great Deku Tree,” Makar spoke and looked down.

 

There was silence for a moment. “However, you are fine now. Would you like to start the ceremony, Makar?” There was a sound of happiness in the Tree’s voice, and Makar perked up as he looked up.

 

“Oh, yes sir!” Makar closed his eyes and pulled a small cello and a bow made of a stick seemingly from nowhere. He placed them together and smiled as he began to play upon the cello. Soon, the Koroks began to join in and sing as they began to dance happily around Link. It was then almost like the Great Deku Tree itself began to dance as its branches began to move and its massive trunk began to sway back and forth.

 

Upon the end of the ceremony, many small buds appeared upon the Deku Tree which then fell and opened into small seeds. The Koroks quickly collected the seeds up, then took to the skies with their Deku Leaves. Link stared in wonder at this sight and watched as they flew off. “The ceremony is to awaken the Great Deku Tree’s seeds,” Hollo spoke as he walked up to Link. “There are then of us Koroks. Eight go out with the seeds to watch them grow, while Makar and I stay behind. Makar prepares the music for the next ceremony, and me…I don’t really do anything to be honest. I just stay here and keep the Great Deku Tree company.”

 

“Amazing,” Link spoke, then turned to the Great Deku Tree.

 

“Link,” the Tree spoke. “As promised, I can now give unto you Farore’s Pearl. Please, take it and may it help you on your journey to save your sister.” A branch seemed to grow out of the Deku Tree, and on the end of the branch was a rather large flower. When the flower opened, Link was amazed to see a green pearl sitting inside. Upon it was a green wave that symbolized Courage.

 

Link told hold of the pearl, then placed it within the magic pouch Medli had given him. He then turned to the Deku Tree and bowed. “Thank you, Deku Tree,” he spoke. “I’ll return to this place someday.”

 

“You are always welcome to, Link,” the Deku Tree spoke. Link then turned to Hollo and Makar and bowed.

 

“Farewell for now.”

 

“Farewell, Link. May we meet again,” Hollo spoke.

 

“Good-bye, Link! Thanks for saving my life!” Makar spoke. With that, Link turned and left the Forest Haven, but as he looked to the sky, he noticed a terrible storm was brewing nearby. The storm was heading their way, and they would have to cross into the storm in order to make it to Greatfish Isle. Fear struck Link as the memory of his father’s death returned to him. His father had died in the same quest, to ride through a storm to Greatfish Isle, and he was about to do the same.

 

“Aryll…I will return to you…I promise…” Link spoke as he stared at the storm. He felt determination flow through him, as he made his way back to King and the two set off. However, neither of them knew of the magical nature of the storm on its way, and they could do nothing but pray that they would make it through unscathed.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 10: From Greatfish Island to Outset Island

 

 

“I’ve been watching you…” Tetra spoke as she sat in her cabin on her pirate ship. “I’ve seen everything. Your journey to Dragon Roost Island in search of Din’s Pearl, and your trip to the Forest Haven to find Farore’s Pearl. Now you’re off to Greatfish Isle. Well, we’ll see what happens to you now.”

 

“Miss Tetra!” a voice shouted and Tetra growled.

 

“What is it, Gonzo?” Tetra shouted.

 

“There’s a Ruto…a Rato…uhh…a weird bird thing here to see you!”

 

“A Rito?”

 

“Yeah!”

 

Tetra sighed. “Coming…” She stood up from her bed and walked forward, opening her cabin door. Gonzo waited on the other side, staring at her as she stepped out. “Where is the Rito?”

 

“On the deck.”

 

“Fine.” Tetra turned and took the doorway out to the deck. There, her eyes fixated on the Rito who had come to her boat. “Yes?”

 

“Hello once more, Miss Pirate,” the Rito spoke, and Tetra now realized who it was.

 

“Quill, what are you doing here?” Tetra asked.

 

“I’ve come to ask you something.”

 

“And that would be?”

 

“I have a message for Link. It is from the Chieftain of the Rito Tribe. Would you happen to know where Link is at this time?”

 

“Perhaps…first, what is this message?”

 

“I cannot tell you that,” Quill spoke.

 

Tetra shrugged. “Fine, if you don’t tell us the message, then I won’t tell you where Link is.”

 

Quill found himself a little nervous now. He knew he had to find Link as quickly as possible, and he also knew that Tetra was his only hope of finding Link quickly. “All right…I’ll tell you.”

 

Tetra smirked. “Good.”

 

* * *

 

“What’s wrong, Link?” King asked as they sailed through the Great Sea. “You’ve had that look on your face since we left Forest Haven.”

 

“I’m worried about this storm, King,” Link spoke as he stared forward, a look of seriousness on his face.

 

“And what are you worried about?”

 

“My father…he was killed in a storm once…making almost the same trip we are.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Father had to deliver something to Greatfish Isle. We lived on Outset Island at the time. He didn’t make it back, and it’s uncertain if he even made it there.”

 

“How interesting, then you are hoping that the same does not happen to you.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Do not fear, Link, we shall be fine. We’re already almost-” King’s sentence was cut short when the waves suddenly turned fierce. King began to rock back and forth heavily on the waves, and the wind began to blow hard into Link’s face.

 

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

 

“It’s a bad part of the storm!” Suddenly, a large wave rushed forward at them, pushing them up into the air, and sending them flying forward a ways before crashing back into the water. Link gripped the rudder hard, trying to keep their course steady as the waves crashed against King harder now.

 

“How the hell do we get through this?”

 

“By pushing harder and keeping our course steady,” King spoke as waves crashed into his face.

 

“Damn it! This was just the way Dad died…and he had a much bigger boat. How do we get through this?”

 

“Don’t worry, Link, we’ll make it!” Another wave struck King hard on the side, nearly tipping them over. Another large wave then came from ahead, lifting them up once again and tossing them forward, causing them to crash upon the waves once again.

 

“How much farther is the island?”

 

“Look ahead! You can see it on the horizon!” Link looked forward, and his eyes caught sight of the island. The island looked to be several smaller islands, all jutting up into the air. The splits between each island looked unnatural, as if something had torn the island apart. Link’s eyes then darted to the sky as he saw a flash of light, followed by the sound of thunder.

 

“Oh shit! Lightning!” Link shouted.

 

“We’ll make it, don’t worry!”

 

“Are you even sure that’s Greatfish Isle?”

 

“Yes, I’m positive! That’s the home of Jabun, the Diety of Water.” Another large wave moved towards them and Link felt King slowly lifting into the air.

 

“We’re about to fly again!” Link shouted, and the wave tossed them forward. They crashed hard upon the waters, only to have another large wave lift them once more. The wave tossed them once more, and a third wave caught them in mid-air, crashing hard against them, and causing King to flip backwards. “Damn it!” Link shouted as he fell back into the water, with King following close behind.

 

Link felt the current grip him and he felt himself moving towards the island. A few moments passed before he finally washed up on shore, and he coughed to breathe once more. He turned around just in time to see a large wave moving towards him, with King on the top of it. The wave crashed hard against the island, leaving King now stranded on land, with Link nearly knocked out by the waves.

 

“Ugh…damn it…that was one hell of a ride…” Link spoke as he pushed himself to stand up. King now lied next to him, lying on its side. “King, you all right?”

 

“I took some damage, but I think I’m still sailable,” King replied.

 

“Good…well, we’re here…now what?”

 

King turned his head and looked around a bit. “This place…something has happened to it…It’s been torn apart…there’s no way anything could survive here now…but nonetheless, we must search for Jabun…he must still be alive.”

 

“Why do you assume that?”

 

“It’s a hope…for if Jabun is not alive, then we’re all in trouble.”

 

“Link!” a voice shouted and Link turned quickly. He saw Quill flying towards him, and he smiled and waved.

 

“Quill!” Link shouted.

 

“Link, I’m so glad I found you.” Quill landed upon the ground and pulled his arms down, folding his wings up.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I have a message from the Chieftain. He wanted you to know that Greatfish Isle is split…”

 

“Split?” Link asked and looked around. “I…think that’s fairly obvious…”

 

“Cursed!” Quill quickly corrected. “I meant cursed…”

 

“The island itself is cursed?”

 

“Yes. Jabun came to us shortly after you left, telling us that his island was cursed with a terrible storm, and that it was literally torn apart by the storm. He has now traveled off to Outset Island where he is hoping to stay hidden.”

 

“Outset Island? Why there?”

 

“He said…‘It was once the home of the Hero, and maybe it will be again.’ I am not sure what he meant by that.”

 

“Then we need to get to Outset Island.”

 

“And exactly how do you propose we get off this island?” King asked. “I may be sailable, but that storm will push us back onto this island real fast. There’s no escaping it.”

 

“Storms are wind, right? What if I just controlled the way the wind was blowing?”

 

“Even the Wind Waker cannot control a storm like this.”

 

“There has to be a way, though. I mean…Jabun made it off the island.”

 

“Jabun is a whale…he simply went underwater where the waves won’t bother him.”

 

“Damn it…there has to be some way off this island…We can’t just stay here, we have to push off and get to Outset Island.”

 

“Another thing…” Quill spoke up and Link turned back to him. “Jabun said he would seal himself away. Reaching him will be no easy task. On top of that, your pirate friends are also working to reach Jabun.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’m sorry, but to get them to tell me where you were, I had to tell them everything. They said that they would make their way to Outset Island to also try to get the pearl. They seemed certain that they could make it through any of Jabun’s defenses.”

 

“Damn it…this is really bad then…we’ve got to move. We’ve got to get to Outset before Tetra does…” It was then that a thought crossed Link’s mind. “Wait…how would Tetra know where I am? I haven’t seen her since the Forsaken Fortress…Unless…” He looked down and took hold of the stone around his neck. “She can see through this…I forgot all about that! She can see, hear, and talk to me through this!”

 

“So then, what do we do now?” King asked.

 

“We push through the storm,” Link spoke. “We might die…but hopefully not. Now is not a time to be cucco. If we are, we’ll never get off this island. Quill, can you help me get King off the island?”

 

“Certainly,” Quill spoke with a nod.

 

“Then we’ll break through that storm, or we’ll die trying…” Link and Quill then went to work, pushing King down to the shore and into the water, where Link quickly waved the Wind Waker forward in an attempt to make the wind travel in the direction of Outset. “Here we go!” He pulled the sail up, and the wind caught upon the sail, making them move forward and through the storm. The seas rocked them back and forth, and the waves threatened to toss them into the waves many times, but Link’s courage held strong, and soon he and King had fought their way through the storm.

 

The two then set sail to the south and towards Outset Island. They had hoped to reach the island before Tetra and her gang of pirates did. As they sailed, King seemed to grow more worried about things around him. It took them only a few hours to return to Outset, but King still had a worried look as they grew closer to it. “Link, listen to me for a moment,” King spoke suddenly and Link looked at him.

 

“What is it?” Link asked.

 

“It’s about this storm, and our current situation.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Link, look at the sky.”

 

Link did as he was told and looked up. “It’s dark...I see stars, the moon, there’s no clouds…”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Hmm?” Link asked questioningly. He didn’t understand.

 

“It’s night. The sail from the Forest Haven to Greatfish Isle should have taken us several hours, but the sky hasn’t changed. The moon is even still in the same place as it was when we arrived at the Forest Haven.”

 

“You’re right!” Link spoke as he looked back up. The moon was about forty-five degrees into the sky, which meant only about a quarter of the night had gone by. “The moon should be going down in the west about now. It should be on the horizon, but it’s still high in the sky. It hasn’t even hit the midnight point yet.”

 

“Exactly, I think the curse on Greatfish that caused that storm did much more then just cause a storm.”

 

“A spell of Eternal Night?”

 

“Exactly. I think it’s Ganondorf’s evil doing.”

 

“You’re probably right, we need to find Jabun, then.”

 

“Jabun said he had come here to seek refuge. Is there any place in the water that a whale could go for refuge?”

 

Link thought for a moment. “There is a big cave on the back side of the island…”

 

“Then we’ll check there.”

 

Link pulled the rudder and they slowly made a turn around the island. At first, Link saw nothing, but then something caught his eye. It looked like the back of a boat, a rather large one at that. It seemed to be turning and moving forward. King sailed forward further, and their eyes took in more of the ship as it came into view. It was a moment later before Link’s eyes registered what it was.

 

“It’s Tetra’s boat!” Link shouted. “They’re already here!” Their eyes then quickly dropped down from the boat as they noticed the boat was still turning, but not by will. Underneath of it lied a large whirlpool, and the boat had been caught into it and was slowly being swirled into the center in a hope to sink it. Link’s eyes darted back up, noticing Gonzo at the helm, pulling hard on the wheel, trying to turn away from the whirlpool, but having no luck.

 

“They’re stuck.”

 

“We have to save them!”

 

“What about Jabun?”

 

Link turned, noticing a large stone wall against the island. “He must be behind that wall.”

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“Because that wall wasn’t there before. King, what I’m about to ask you is going to be very dangerous, but you have to trust me.”

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“I’m getting onto Tetra’s boat, but I’ll need you to get right up next to it.”

 

“What? But we’ll be pulled into that whirlpool!” King shouted.

 

“And if I’m right…the whirlpool will go away once that wall is destroyed,” Link spoke as his eyes glanced at Tetra’s boat.

 

“And how do you plan to do that?”

 

Link pulled out his grappling hook. “Tetra’s cannons. They’ll surely be able to take out that wall.”

 

“If you’re certain…”

 

“I’m not…but it’s our only hope.”

 

King nodded and Link grabbed the rudder. He turned it slightly and King began to sail towards the ship. He turned them just right as to pull up directly on their right side. Link then tossed the grappling hook up, managing to hook onto the edge of the boat. He quickly pulled to make sure it was secure then began to climb. “Be careful!” King shouted.

 

“I’ll be as careful as possible!” Link responded back.

 

* * *

 

“Outset Island…never thought I’d be back here…” Tetra spoke as she folded her arms across her chest.

 

“But we are,” Gonzo spoke. “What are the plans?”

 

“We find Jabun and take the pearl. That kid, Link, needs it, and we can probably manage to sell it to him for a good price.”

 

“So…we’re not helping him out?” Niko asked.

 

Tetra laughed. “We are, but we’re also pirates, so it’ll cost him.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

“Now, get to work, circle the island and let’s see if we can’t spot something that could look like a place for a whale to hide in.”

 

“What if it’s underwater?” Gonzo asked.

 

“We’ll find that out after we’ve circled it once,” Tetra responded. “Now, move!” At once the pirates began to circle the boat around the island. As the pirates examined their surroundings, Tetra closed her eyes. “Where are you now, Link?” she asked as a vision came to her mind. Link was sailing across the Great Sea, a look of determination was on his face. She could see Outset Island not far off the horizon. “So, you’re close, huh? We’ll just be sure to get that pearl first.”

 

Suddenly, the boat rocked and Tetra was thrown to the deck. “Gonzo! Status report!” she shouted.

 

“We’ve been caught in a whirlpool, Tetra!” Gonzo reported.

 

“Get us out of it then!”

 

“I can’t, the boat isn’t turning!”

 

“Try harder! Pull the rudder as hard to starboard as you can! We have to get out of this whirlpool!”

 

“I’m trying, Tetra!” Gonzo shouted as he pulled hard on the wheel. The wheel was pulled as hard to the right as it would go, but the ship continued to swirl downward to the left and towards the center of the whirlpool.

 

“This is not good!” Tetra shouted when the sound of a grappling hook gripping the side of the boat was heard. She turned around, hearing a voice shouting, but she couldn’t make out what. “Stand ready! We seem to have someone trying to board us!”

 

“It’s Link, Tetra!” Niko shouted as he looked over the edge. He waved at Link, then turned to Tetra, who had managed to get right up in his face.

 

“Is it now?” Tetra looked over the edge, then gripped the grappling hook firmly. “Ahoy there, Link!” she spoke with a grin.

 

“Tetra! I need your boat!” Link shouted up as he continued to climb. “I know how to get us out of this whirlpool!”

 

“Do you know?” Tetra pulled on the grappling hook. With her aid, Link made it up the ship and onto the deck. “Now tell me, what is this plan of yours?”

 

“The cannons,” Link spoke. “Fire the cannons at that wall.” He pointed to the wall on the edge of the island. “Fire all of them! You’ve got them on all sides, aim them and fire as each one makes a pass on the wall.”

 

“And that will get us out of here?”

 

“When Jabun sees his wall has been breached, he should stop the whirlpool.”

 

“What makes you think he won’t just make it go faster? Or that he’s even in control of it?”

 

“It’s a trial…if someone can get through it, then chances are, he’ll find them worthy of Nayru’s Pearl.”

 

Tetra sighed and folded her arms. “You heard the kid,” she spoke as she turned to the pirates. “I want all the cannons aimed and firing at that wall! Destroy it and we’ll see if Link is right.”

 

“Right away, Tetra!” the pirates spoke quickly and rushed off.

 

“Gonzo, you too!” Tetra spoke.

 

“But I’m the one holding the boat at least somewhat steady!” Gonzo retorted.

 

“It’s Link’s plan, so I’ll let him hold the boat.” Tetra grinned and Link gulped. He rushed up to Gonzo and grabbed hold of the wheel.

 

“You better hold that real good, kid,” Gonzo spoke then rushed off, leaving Link to hold the wheel.

 

As the boat continued to slowly swirl around the whirlpool, the cannons were readied. As the wall came into line with each of the cannons, they were fired. Some of the shots missed while others hit the wall securely. As the cannonballs hit the wall, the wall seemed to crack and crumble more. Finally, a last shot struck the wall and caused it to crumble down. As Link had foretold, the whirlpool began to die down and soon the boat stopped swirling in circles.

 

Link gave a sigh of relief and let go of the wheel. “You did good, kid,” Tetra spoke. “You’re pretty smart actually, not to mention courageous. I don’t think that took much thought to be honest, just guts. Not many I know are willing to try and commandeer a pirate vessel just to blast open a wall.”

 

“Well, it was either that or let you sink to the bottom of the sea,” Link spoke.

 

“So, you didn’t do it just for yourself?”

 

“I wanted to save all of you as well. You may be pirates, but your also friends.”

 

“Really?” Tetra smiled and grew close to Link. Her lips moved close to touch Link’s when suddenly-

 

“Link!” King shouted. “Hurry it up!”

 

Tetra smirked and pushed Link over. “Better do as your boat says. You’ve got a pearl to get.”

 

“Right!” Link spoke firmly. He seemed to show no signs of having even the slightest clue what Tetra had tried to do. He stood firmly to his feet when a large hand slapped him across the back, knocking him forward. As he fell, he pushed against Tetra and knocked her over as well. Somewhere in the mix of falling, their lips connected.

 

“What the hell?!” Tetra shouted as she pushed Link off of her, both of them now a bright red. “What was that?”

 

“Gonzo pushed me!” Link shouted. He was right, it had been Gonzo that had shoved him forward.

 

“Gonzo!” Tetra shouted and stood to her feet, growling.

 

“I simply slapped Link across the back to congratulate him!” Gonzo retorted. “How was I to know he’d be so weak in the back?”

 

Tetra growled and slowly stormed up to Gonzo. He stared for a moment as she looked up at him. A moment later Gonzo found himself knocked back by a fist directly to his chin. “I’d kill you if I didn’t need you for crew!” she shouted at him.

 

Link sweatdropped and rubbed the back of his neck at the sight. “So, your pirates are your family, then, huh?” he asked suddenly and Tetra turned away from pummeling Gonzo.

 

“What the hell does that mean?”

 

Link chuckled. “Only family can be as close as you all are.” He spoke, then walked to the edge of the ship. “Anyway, I better go get that pearl. I’ll leave you and your family-”

 

Link found himself flying off the boat and splashing into the water. Tetra growled as she held her fist out after having just punched Link square in the face. “Don’t say such things with a straight face, kid…” she spoke and turned away. Was he right, though? Were her pirates like family to her? She couldn’t even remember her own family. Well, except her mother. Mother… Tetra pulled out a small necklace from around her neck. What ever happened to her?

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 11: The Pearls of the Gods

 

 

“Jabun!” Link shouted as King slowly sailed into the cavern that was now open in the side of the island. The cavern was at least fifty or sixty feet high, if not more, and at least the same size around. However, that’s all it was, a single, fairly circular room and nothing more.

 

“Jabun, mii ye ya,” King spoke. “Ani chien ani zeu disukabane ali Shinlu Hei ke Farore!”

 

“Shinlu Hei ke Farore?” a deep voice asked and the cavern began to shake. The water rose up high and once it subsided, a large whale was left there, though the lantern-like object on his head made him look more like an angler fish then anything else.

 

“Alu, ani chien alin Shinlu Hei ke Farore ijala ka jo chaihen.”

 

“Haru itsuyzu tain oyan biken ae jhaan?”

 

“Jo chaihen jyun langene nah ke ali Jasrazu ije ai.”

 

“Langene nah ke alli Jasrazu ije ai? Zei chen femen jyun dea lange ali lanome Jaszra, zei?”

 

“Alu.”

 

“Ani alu.”

 

“Bude fausana gane bae ikroma benvu. Chen jyun hilenne.”

 

“Chen jyun hilenne? Hege jyun hilenne?”

 

“Ganon.”

 

Jabun’s eyes went wide at that word. He remained silent for a moment as he thought deeply. “Zei ein ihre hyanma. Jo chaihen…haru ye chell jea?”

 

“Link,” King spoke, which perked Link’s ears up.

 

“What about me?” Link asked.

 

“Not now, Link, I will explain later.”

 

Link huffed up a bit and slouched onto the side of the boat as he stared at Jabun. Jabun was quite a sight, but he was ever so annoyed by how everyone important to his task seemed to speak in this ancient language, and yet, he had no understanding of it at all.

 

“Link, tain oyan?” Jabun asked. “Likahnga. Iste tain ziru buke jo Link ye ke ali hahrei valaenil bavu ali Mekkou Link?”

 

There was his name again, three times, and in a question no doubt! What the hell could they possibly be talking about that I don’t need to know as well? Link thought.

 

“Na, jo Link ye maff tuo ke ali hahrei valaenil bavu ali Mekkou Link,” King responded in the ancient language. “Bude ani chien chen ijala zah quah ali bavu mahchi bavu ali Mekkou Link.”

 

Mekkou Link…those two words always seemed to be said together. His name with a word before it. What could that possibly mean? Was Mekkou Link the name of someone else? If so, then who else?

 

“Zei tain hise ya dea quinjei ali inari ke Hyrule dea jo chaihen beinel bolai dufe bae chen soia ka ista dea ehinu ali pallu?” Jabun asked.

 

“Ani iste!” King seemed to shout out. Jabun seemed to stare at him for a moment, quietly contemplating his next few words.

 

“Ani alu. Zei mii hoss ka meru kefu dea ali Jeilzu dea fala buke chell mahchi ye fausana. Zei ani ihuen tain ali hagei dea ali Jeilzu!” Jabun shook his body and a blue pearl jumped out of Jabun’s lantern and Link quickly grabbed it. “Nayruzu Xami, mii fatei injin ali jin bae Ganon jyun imesh soksha ali pallu.”

 

“So...that foul rain and endless night were indeed elements of a curse brought on us by Ganon!” King spoke now in the normal tongue that Link could understand. His words shocked him. “He must intend want to cast this land into pure darkness for all time...”

 

Was this finally the end? Link hoped so. King had switched back to their normal language, so it was possible that this meant their conversation was coming to a close. He could only hope so at least. He was tired of a boat and a whale carrying on a conversation that included his name without him knowing what they said.

 

“Helna ya, Hyrule Benkou,” Jabun suddenly spoke up. “Zeu tain plenne ali dukkuganezu ke ali hei hege liffazu re ali valaenil ke ali Himare, Zelda?”

 

“Ani chien ani zeu,” King responded once again in the ancient language.

 

“Dear gods…please let this end soon…” Link whimpered.

 

“Is something wrong, Link?”

 

“You two, talking in a language I don’t know, about things I don’t understand! Could you please speak in a more modern language? One I understand?”

 

“Jabun only knows the ancient language, I apologize, Link. We will be done speaking soon.” Link grumbled at those words and slouched. “Ani de eimili.”

 

“Mii ye oi,” Jabun spoke. “Ani zoirun ali chaihenzu mukel.”

 

“Tain ubou zoirun chen?” King asked.

 

Jabun shook its body as if saying no. “Bude ani zoirun chell ukene. Ani hoss quinjei tain senna jo. Tain lerol eshal ali Himare Zelda sosta neu mern jiise kakehga ihen Ganonzu dienzu.”

 

“Ke guare, Jabun.”

 

“Zeinne, Hyrule Benkou! Nahiku Himare Zelda qell.”

 

“Soia.” With King’s final word, Jabun dived back down into the water. “Let’s go, Link.” Link pulled the rudder and King slowly sailed his way out of the island.

 

“Took you long enough,” Tetra spoke from onboard her ship. She made a leap and landed into King.

 

“King and Jabun had to talk…” Link spoke.

 

“About?”

 

Link shrugged. “Ask him. It was all in some ancient language. So far, everyone who has had a pearl has spoken it.”

 

“It was an old language passed down from an ancient kingdom that existed over a thousand years ago,” King spoke. “It vanished overnight without a trace.”

 

“Wait…this language is from the ancient kingdom? The one spoken of in the Legend of the Ocarina of Time?” Link asked.

 

“The very one. Tetra, I will need you and Link to make a journey with me, but only you two.”

 

Tetra folded her arms. “Me, make a journey with Link and a talking boat?” Tetra asked. “No way, not going to happen.”

 

* * *

 

“How did I get stuck in this mess?” Tetra asked as she sighed. She was currently sitting inside King with Link only a short distance from her, still manning the rudder. They had traveled now for many hours, and at one point the two had docked on a fairly unknown island and rested the night away. It was now morning, and they were sitting in the middle of nowhere. “Tell me again, oh great King, what are we out here, in the middle of the ocean for?”

 

“Look around you, Tetra,” King spoke. “You see the three island around us?”

 

“The ones that look kind of like triangles? Yeah, I see them.” Tetra pulled out a map. “We seem to be right in the center of them according to my sea chart. Why?”

 

“We must travel to each of them. Link.”

 

“Which one first, King?” Link responded.

 

“The one to the northwest. There you must place Din’s Pearl. From there, we must travel to the southwest where you will place Nayru’s Pearl. Finally followed up by the one to the east where you will place Farore’s Pearl.”

 

“Then that’s where we’ll go.” Link pulled on the rudder and pulled up the sail once more. With a quick wave of the Wind Waker, the wind began to blow towards the northwest and the sail caught in the wind. With that, they were off to the northwest, where they finally stopped at a large island in the shape of a triangle. “Wait here, Tetra.”

 

“I see no reason to get off, so I will,” Tetra spoke, folding her arms. She then turned to King. “Exactly why was I needed on this mission, boat?”

 

“My name is the King of Red Lions, and that will be revealed shortly, oh Queen of the Pirates.”

 

Tetra turned back to look at Link as he climbed his way up a slope on the island. There, in the center, he found an odd looking statue. It had a large round head and a fairly fat looking body. Its arms were outstretched, formed in such a way to hold an orb of a certain size. Link pulled Din’s Pearl out of his pouch first, setting it onto the statue. Its eyes began to glow for a moment, then after a moment, the glow diminished. “Odd…” Link stepped away from the statue, then made his way back to King.

 

“The first is in place, now we must go to the island in the south,” King spoke and Link nodded. He waved the Wind Waker once more making the wind blow to the south.

 

“Does that wand make the wind everywhere blow in the direction you wave?” Tetra asked.

 

“No, just in a certain area,” King responded. “As we move, the Wind Waker uses its magic to make the wind blow in the direction we need it to. Thus, it has a constant control over the wind around us for a mile radius.”

 

“Interesting.” Link pulled up the sail once more and turned the rudder so they turned towards the wind. The sail caught and they sailed to the south, where they found a second island also shaped like a triangle. Once again, Link got off and Tetra watched as he climbed up to a second statue. This one looked exactly the same as the first. He pulled Nayru’s Pearl from the pouch and set it upon the statue. Its eyes first glowed red, then began to glow a blue color. Finally, the glow vanished once more.

 

“Onto the last one, I suppose,” Link spoke as he turned and made his way back down towards King. He hopped on and waved the Wind Waker to blow the wind to the northeast. He then pulled the sail and they were off once more.

 

“This is the last island, Link,” Tetra spoke as they slowed to a stop next to the final triangle shaped island.

 

“When you place Farore’s Pearl upon the statue, be prepared,” King spoke. “I know not what will happen beyond a point.”

 

“Beyond a point?” Link asked and King nodded.

 

“I will explain once you have placed the pearl.”

 

Link got up from the boat and stepped off onto the island. He made his way up to the statue in the center of the island that looked oh so similar to the other two. Link pulled out Farore’s Pearl, and at once the pearl began to glow brightly. The eyes of the statue seemed to glow a bright green color, and it seemed as if the two were only waiting to connect to unleash some great power.

 

Carefully, Link reached forward, setting the pearl upon the statue. At once he jumped back, expecting a release of power, but nothing happened. He noticed the glow of the pearl and the statue’s eyes seemed to vanish before a red glow took over. The glow then shifted to blue, then back to green before finally vanishing.

 

Link stared intently, as if expecting something great to happen, but nothing did. “King…you sure we did this right?” he asked as he stepped closer to the statue. “It hasn’t done anything…”

 

Suddenly, the statue’s eyes began to glow a bright green and Link ducked down quickly. The statue shook hard and it began to crumble away. Suddenly, the statue exploded outward, revealing the statue of a beautiful girl underneath of it. The statue was of a girl dressed in a green, strapless dress. Her hair was fairly short, coming down only to the back of her neck. Two flowers rested in her hair, and her eyes were a beautiful shade of emerald. The statue stretched its arms out, raising the pearl high above it as if it was a living creature.

 

“Now…what…” Link spoke as he stared at the statue. Suddenly, he felt as if he was floating. The land around him began dark for a moment, then he looked down, seeing the other two statues. They exploded as the one he had stood next to had done, also revealing the forms of two statues modeled after beautiful women.

 

One wore a red, strapless dress and had long red hair that flowed down to near the end of her back. Two red, angel-like wings were set in her hair. They helped to bring out the bright red of her eyes, as well as accentuate her red hair. The other wore a blue strapless dress and had blue hair about as long as the red statue. She had amazing blue eyes, and in her hair seemed to be two bat-like wings. The third statue then appeared behind Link and they all rose the pearls above their heads.

 

A red beam of light then shot from the red pearl and into the blue pearl, which then shot a blue beam of light into the green pearl. Finally, the green pearl shot a green beam of light into the red pearl, and the three beams formed a massive triangle. It was then as if the statues separated, extending out to the same length they really were apart. Link now found himself floating over them, and in the center of the triangle formed three golden triangles, all coming together to form a single triangle.

 

The golden triangles glowed brightly, then shot downward, swirling and vanishing from sight. Link then felt himself drop, and the world seemed to return to him. He suddenly found himself standing upon King with Tetra at his side. What happened next dumbfounded him completely.

 

The Great Sea seemed to bow upward as something pushed against the surface of the water. Waves soon shot out from around it and soon a large piece of stone pushed through the surface of the water. The stone rose higher and higher soon showing it was a massive statue at least thirty stories high. Then a ring struck the surface and pushed out, forming a small circular ring of archways around the tower. Finally, the tower stopped rising and Link and Tetra were both left standing their, their mouths hung open in surprise.

 

“Welcome Link and Tetra, to the Tower of the Gods,” King spoke. “In here, Link’s courage shall be tested. There is only one man who could ever pass the Trial of the Gods and make his way through the Tower of the Gods.”

 

“And who would that be?” Tetra asked as she looked down at King.

 

“The only one who could ever hope to pass the Trial of the Gods. The only one who could ever make it to the top and claim that which rightfully belongs to them. That man is the Hero of Time.”

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 12: The Tower of the Gods

 

 

“The Hero of Time? Are you crazy?!” Tetra shouted rather loudly, making King pull his head back. “No, there’s no possible way! You think this…kid…is the Hero of Time?”

 

“Perhaps, but perhaps not, that is for the Gods to decide,” King spoke.

 

“And what if he isn’t, huh? Will we have come all this way for nothing? What about Link, what will happen to him?”

 

King looked away. “He who fails the test…” he began, then paused for a moment. “…Will die,” he finished after a time.

 

“Die?!” Tetra shouted. “So you’re going to send this kid in to die?”

 

“If Link is the Hero of Time then he will prevail!” King shouted rather suddenly, which caused Tetra to jump back some.

 

Link had been listening, but his eyes had been fixated on the tower before him. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He then slowly exhaled, then opened his eyes once more. “I’m not afraid.”

 

“Are you certain?” King asked.

 

“Definitely. I will conquer this tower or die trying.”

 

“Are you both nuts?!” Tetra shouted and smacked Link over the head. “You go in there and you’ll be killed! What will your Grandma think if she hears that? Don’t you have a sister to save anyway?”

 

“I am saving her!” Link shouted rather suddenly, this threw Tetra back as well. He balled up his fists and closed his eyes. “I am saving her…I need the Master Sword to defeat Ganon and that bird…without it, I can’t do anything. If I don’t beat them, my sister will never be saved. The only way to get the Master Sword, though, is to conquer this tower.”

 

“Then you’ll do it for your sister?” Tetra asked. “You’ll hold her in your heart, hoping she will aid you?”

 

Link nodded. “My family is my strength.”

 

“Peh…” Tetra folded her arms and turned away. “Family…family’s just a waste of time…” She reached into her shirt and pulled her necklace out once more. King’s eyes went wide at the sight of the necklace, but he did not speak. After a moment, Tetra returned the necklace to under her shirt then turned back to Link. “Fine, you can go in there if you want. Take your little test and see if you’re some great hero of times passed, but leave me out of it.”

 

“Don’t worry, you will have a different role to play in this,” King spoke. “Your role will not be here, though.”

 

“Then why did you drag me here?”

 

“For reasons I cannot explain of this time. You are important to saving this land from the evils of Ganon, but how important…that has yet to be seen.”

 

“Well, guess you better get going.” Tetra shoved Link over the side of the boat.

 

“Wah!” Link shouted as he fell, splashing into the water only a few inches below him. “Why did you do that for?”

 

“You’ve got a Tower to conquer, and I didn’t see you moving to conquer it.”

 

Link growled. “I’ll conquer it, just you watch!” Link turned to look back at the tower then began to swim forward.

 

“Peh…he’ll come crawling back…just you wait and see…He’s no Hero of Time…” Or…is he? Green clothes, courage beyond any I’ve ever seen…What if he really is the Hero of Time reborn? But why would he come back after all these years? Why didn’t he come back when the ancient kingdom needed him most?

 

Link continued to swim forward until he had swam inside of the tower. There he found the land went up and into dry ground. He quickly climbed out of the water then looked around. “I’m here!” he called out. “I’m here to take the Trial of the Gods!”

 

“Chen kianzu dea alede ali Jasra ke ali Jeilzu,” a firey, female voice spoke in a whisper.

 

“Ije mii penalizu,” a fluid, female voice spoke in a whisper.

 

“Reinelzu, ani iste maff chien chen zoirunzu ali Gau Urerinaku,” a more earthen, yet still female voice spoke.

 

“So ein qui hengu,” the firey voice spoke. “Chaihen, iste tain zoirun ali Gau Urerinaku?”

 

“Uh…huh?” Link asked, his face going pale. He had been asked a question, but he knew not the language.

 

“Tain rebei dea ka hemlai, Reinel,” the fluid voice spoke.

 

“You have no understanding of the Old Language?” the earthen voice asked.

 

“Err…no…sorry…I don’t…”

 

“We understand,” the fluid voice spoke.

 

“We are the Goddesses of Hyrule,” the three began in unison. “We are Din, Nayru, and Farore, Creators of Hyrule and all the world.”

 

“Hyrule?” Link asked.

 

“You do not know of Hyrule?” the firey voice asked.

 

“No…should I?”

 

The voices were silent for a moment before the fluid voice spoke up. “It is not important at this time. Why have you entered this sacred place, the Tower of the Gods?”

 

“To take the Trial of the Gods. I seek to claim the Master Sword.”

 

“The Master Sword?” the three voices asked in unison. “Then could he be the one? Has the plan finally succeeded?”

 

“Boy, of this we must ask you,” the earthen voice spoke. “What is your name and of where do you hail from?”

 

“My name is Link, and I come from Outset Island.”

 

“The Hero’s Island,” the fluid voice spoke.

 

“And the Hero’s name,” the firey voice spoke.

 

“Then of this we challenge thee, brave Link,” the voices spoke in unison. “In this tower your power, wisdom, and courage shall be tested. Have courage enough, and you shall find the way to the Master Sword. However, only one who holds no hatred and no desire for revenge in his heart may touch the sacred blade, for it is a blade that no evil may touch. A trial you must pass here, but a final trial you must pass when you touch the blade as well.”

 

“I understand,” Link spoke.

 

“Then let your power, wisdom, and courage be tested in this, the Trial of the Gods,” the voices spoke in unison once more, then faded away. Link looked around and torches lit all around him, finally lighting the tower.

 

Link’s eyes went wide and he fell back upon the floor in shock. The room he now stood in was massive in size. Directly in front of him lied a large golden face upon a wall. From its mouth, water spewed forth into a moat that circled the room. Two other faces lied on either side of it as well, though their mouths lied closed. To the left of him was a single door, but in front of the door lied a strange square symbol. To his right was another door, though this one held no symbol.

 

Link turned to his left and entered the door with the symbol in front of it. Inside he found a large statue standing in wait for him. It stood atop a pedestal, and upon the pedestal were strange markings. As Link grew close to the markings he began to notice what they were. They were symbols showing the Wind Waker, and a set of waves much like he had seen at Dragon Roost Island.

 

Immediately, Link drew his Wind Waker and began to wave it in the same pattern. When he finished, the statue’s eyes began to glow, and a deep voice spoke forth. “This is the Command Melody. Unto you I give it. Using the Wind Waker, you will use this melody and my mind will link to yours. Whatever you wish of me I will do. Close your eyes and see through my eyes. I am your servant from now until you release me.”

 

Link did as the voice spoke, and when his eyes were closed, his vision seemed to shift. He found himself looking through the eyes of the statue. He rose a foot, but instead of raising his foot, the foot of the statue rose. Link then took a step forward, only to find the pedestal was only as large as the statue, causing the statue to fall to the ground. Link pushed as if to push himself up, finding the statue did just as he did, and it pulled itself up off the ground.

 

To the door, Link thought. He walked forward, towards the door, finding that his one feet did not move, but when he moved his feet in this vision, his feet controlled the statue’s feet, causing it to walk forward, stopping at the doorway. When his eyes opened, he noticed the statue seemed to pull itself together, returning to the position it had been in on the pedestal. “So, I control it like that, do I?” he asked himself, then ran to the statue. He quickly opened the door and waved the Wind Waker once more, closing his eyes.

 

The statue pulled itself up and he walked it forward until it reached the square symbol upon the floor. When the statue touched it, Link felt himself thrust back, and his control was lost. The statue that shifted into a new position and covered the symbol upon the floor. When it did, a second symbol, this time a circle, appeared in front of the door that now lied in front of him. As well, the left face’s mouth had opened and now water was pouring from it as well. He also noticed the water coming from the middle face seemed to have lessened now.

 

“So, these symbols control those faces. I’ll bet there’s something behind that middle face, and if I put a statue on each symbol I’ll be able to get through.” Quickly, Link rushed forward into the second room, finding himself staring up at the statue above him. It lied at the top of a set of stairs, but there was only one problem. In this room, Link heard the sound of electricity passing around the room. He was not alone.

 

Soon Link found himself surrounded by a circle of strange yellow blobs. Electricity seemed to spark from the gel that was their body, and each seemed to stare at Link. “What the hell are these?”

 

“You don’t know about Chuchu?” Tetra’s voice asked over the stone Link wore. “They’re a gel-like creature. You won’t be able to kill them with anything you have, even if you had a sword. On top of that, these things are Yellow Chuchu, so they’re electric. Touch them, and you’ll get quite a zap.”

 

“Then what do I do?”

 

“I don’t know, you’re the one taking the Trial.”

 

Link growled a little then closed his eyes. He thought for a moment as the chuchu seemed to slowly grow closer to him. He reached down and into his pouch, pulling out his Fairy Boomerang. He then opened his eyes and tossed the boomerang forward. It spun and chopped right through one of the chuchu, cutting it in half. It then circled around under Link’s command and chopped through the others before returning to his hand. The Chuchus, however, seemed mostly unaffected. It had cut them in half, but this seemed to have only caused Link to have twice as many to fight as before.

 

“Aww damn…” Link spoke as he stared at the chuchu around him. “Now what?” Link shouted, then noticed something. With a little luck, the jellies may have been just short enough for him to jump over. With a quick thrust with his feet he launched himself into the air and over the jellies and onto the ground behind them. At once, the jellies pulled themselves together, forming one massive chuchu. “Oh…shit…” Link spoke as he stared at the creature now before him.

 

Link quickly pulled his Fairy Boomerang out once more, preparing himself to fight if need be. He quickly stepped back, making his way up the steps while keeping a close eye on his enemy. It was there, at the top, when he noticed something about this statue, it looked similar to a wizrobe, a sort of mage creature.

 

Quickly, Link pocketed his boomerang and waved the Wind Waker once more. When he did, he closed his eyes and the statue rose to life. Through the eyes of the statue, he now could see what he had hoped for was true. He rose the statue’s hand up and a ball of flames appeared in its hand. It then tossed the ball down, striking the chuchu before him, causing it to roar. Hearing such a thing come from a mass of jelly was strange, but Link paid little attention to it.

 

With another blast of fire, the chuchus were pushed back and slid down the stairs. Finally, Link struck them with a blast of ice, freezing them in place. He then walked the statue down the stairs and out of the door, where he set it upon the circular symbol. When he did, the third face opened its mouth, and the middle face closed its. This caused water to rush through two of the faces but left the middle open, revealing a stairway upward.

 

Quickly, before the chuchus could melt into jelly once more, he rushed his way up the stairs. “You have passed the Trial of Wisdom,” the fluid voice spoke.

 

“But can you pass the Trial of Courage?” the earthen voice asked.

 

At once, the torches around Link lit once more and his eyes went wide. Before him lied a massive pit. There appeared no way across, and Link gulped as he looked down into it, seeing eternal blackness. “I didn’t climb that far up…did I?” he asked.

 

“Only one way to know,” Tetra’s voice spoke over the stone once more. “Fall and you’ll know, but you’ll probably also die.”

 

“That’s not much help!” Link spoke up, then looked forward. He looked up to the ceiling where he noticed several small chandelier-like things hanging from the ceiling. “Only one way across…” he spoke. He pulled out his grappling hook and tossed it up to one of the chandeliers and it wrapped around one. He tugged, noticing the chandelier-like object wasn’t attached to a chain, but was instead attached to a metal pole that did not move. He gulped once more and stepped to the edge where he jumped forward, gripping the rope hard. He flew forward a ways, then rocked back. He soon found himself just dangling there and he bit his lip as he pulled himself up to the chandelier-like object.

 

Unhooking the grappling hook, Link then tossed it across the room and onto another object. He pulled once more, then breathed a heavy sigh. “I can do this…courage…” He pushed off and flew through the air once more. The fall gave him enough momentum to rise up towards a third chandelier, which he reached out for, barely grabbing with his hand. He bit his lip again as he stared down at the eternal blackness below him. Once slip, and he was a goner.

 

Link pulled himself up onto the third chandelier, then gripped it tight as he looked around. “There has to be an end to this somewhere…the tower wasn’t that wide…” It was then that he saw it, ground, just a single swing away. However, there was nothing to grab onto, so he would have to hook his grappling hook to where he was and swing across.

 

With great difficulty, Link hooked the grappling hook to the chandelier, then let himself drop down until the rope snagged, stopping his fall. He then turned towards the ground and began to swing himself back and forth. His momentum steadily increased and with each swing he grew closer and closer to the ground. However, it soon became apparent that he had only one choice, that was to let go of the rope at the exact moment and hope he would catch the ground.

 

“Courage…” Link spoke as he continued to swing. “I can do this…I can do this…I can do this!” he shouted. As he swung forward the final time, at the peak of his arc, he let go of the rope. He reached his hand forward, hoping he was right. As he began his descent, Link noticed the ground was further then he had thought, and at first he began to panic.

 

However, something shined forth in Link’s heart, something his Grandma had once said. “With the right amount of courage, you can do anything,” was what she had said. He pulled himself together quickly and stretched his hand out as far as he could. Just barely, his fingers gripped the edge of the land. His second hand soon rose to grab the edge and he pulled to try and pull himself up. His feet soon found a foothold and he set them there, pushing up and soon pushing himself out of the hole and onto the ground.

 

“Oh my gosh!” Link shouted and fell onto his back. “That was scary shit!”

 

“You have passed the Trial of Courage,” the earthen voice spoke.

 

“Now all that remains is the Trial of Power,” the firey voice spoke. “Ascend the stairway and prepare yourself. Your greatest trial awaits.”

 

Link let himself catch his breath while waiting for the adrenaline rush in his system to die down. His body was shaking, showing he had been afraid. However, to that, he remembered another statement of his Grandma’s. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to push through that fear and do what you must.”

 

Link pulled himself up and took a final deep breath. He then turned to the staircase before him and began the ascent up to the final stage of the tower. “I’m here!” he shouted once he reached the top. “I’m ready for the final trial!”

 

“Then let the Trial of Power begin,” the firey voice spoke. In an instant, two large, stone hands fell to the ground. They slowly rose into the air, and Link noticed they weren’t attached to anything. In the centers of each hand lied a small, machine-like eye. However, that was not all that awaited him. A head made of stone, looking much like the head of a King wearing a crown appeared behind the hands. The hands then came together as fists, striking knuckle to knuckle with one another. “Behold, the greatest test of power, the great Gohdan!”

 

“Oh boy…” Link spoke and sighed. “We’ve got our work cut out for us today, don’t we? You could have just said ‘No, I don’t think I’ll be the hero this time’ but NO you wanted to be the hero. You had to rescue your sister…and now look at where you are…” He shrugged. “Eh, such is life I suppose.” Quickly, one of the fists came down to strike, but Link quickly jumped out of the way. “I’ve got…well…” Link reached into his pouch once more and pulled out his grappling hook. “A hook! Yeah! A hook! I’m not afraid to use it either!”

 

Suddenly, one of the hands grabbed Link’s grappling hook, crushing the end of it and Link’s eyes went wide. “Eep…” he squeaked out. “I wish I hadn’t melted my sword!” he shouted as he quickly darted away, searching around for anything he could use as a weapon. “There must be something around here…a stick, a piece of metal, a stone…anything!” He then found himself tripping on something, causing him to fall to the ground.

 

“What tripped me?” Link asked as he turned. He found he had tripped upon the smashed remains of the last man who had tried to pass this trial. “Ack!” he shouted and jumped back. However, it was there that he noticed a bow and quiver, still in tact. He quickly scooped the bow up and grabbed and arrow, aiming up at his opponent. “I have a bow! I’ll use it!” he shouted, then stopped and thought for a moment. “Why am I threatening a piece of stone? It’s not going to listen!”

 

Quickly, Link took aim, aiming at one of the eyes on the hands. He let go and the arrow sailed forward, striking the eye dead on. The entire hand went into a violent fit, then collapsed to the ground. “That’s one!” he shouted. He then aimed the bow a second time, firing it at the second hand’s eye. This one hit direct on as well, sending the second hand into a violent fit before it collapsed to the ground. “How am I doing that?” he asked as he stared at the bow. “Is this a magic bow as well?”

 

Gohdan’s eyes grew larger and its mouth opened wide. Suddenly, a huge blast of fire was forced out of Gohdan’s mouth, aiming for Link. He quickly jumped back, then rushed around behind Gohdan. As it turned, Link hit Gohdan in one of its eyes with the arrow. Gohdan roared then turned down to look at Link as a second arrow rose up, striking him in the other eye.

 

Gohdan roared and its head shook violently before collapsing to the ground, its mouth wide open. The head seemed to twitch, as if trying to get up but being unable to. Link aimed the arrow into its mouth and fired, but it seemed to have no effect. The statue’s head just continued to twitch as it lied there. “Is it dead, then?” Link asked, but soon the hands began to slowly rise up, preparing to attack once more. “I’ll guess not…” he spoke and turned.

 

It was there, upon the edge of the tower, that Link saw a strange sight. A small black orb-like plant with a flower on the top of it. Suddenly, visions seemed to enter his mind, a memory of a time he couldn’t possibly know. Soon two words came to his mouth “Bomb Flower”. He quickly shook his head and rushed forward. The memories had told him what he needed to know.

 

Link quickly scooped the flower up and turned, tossing it forward. Gohdan’s head slowly began to rise, its mouth still hanging open. The Bomb Flower landed directly inside the statue’s mouth, and as it closed its mouth, the flower exploded. Cracks quickly formed around the statue’s mouth at first, which then seemed to expand out further. Soon, Gohdan’s head roared before it exploded. The hands then collapsed to the ground, and Link stared forward at the destruction.

 

“Is it…finally dead?” he asked, then looked up.

 

“You have passed the Trial of Power,” the fiery voice spoke.

 

“You have passed the Trial of Wisdom,” the fluid voice spoke.

 

“And you have passed the Trial of Courage,” the earthen voice spoke.

 

“Now, Hero of Time, climb the stairs,” the three spoke in unison. “Ring the bell, let the Great Sea hear the song of the Hero, and may your destiny and the truth of this world finally be revealed unto you.” The voices faded, and Link stared forward.

 

“The truth of this world?” he asked. Finally, he stepped forward, climbing the stairs up the tower. There, at the top, he found himself standing before a magnificent bell. There was nothing else but the bell there, save for the pillars that held it up. Link reached forward and grabbed the bell string, then pulled on it, making the bell ring.

 

It was as if there was then a great melody of bells, as if forty different bells sang out in a different voice. Link felt the wind swirl around him and he was lifted into the air. He then found himself descending down, soon landing inside King once more. A smile was on King’s face, and a look of anger, yet pleasure, was on Tetra’s face. The wind then swirled around the tower and soon, a golden glow appeared in the center of the ring. “This is it, Link, the truth now lies before us,” King spoke.

 

“The truth?” Link asked and King gave a nod.

 

“The truth of this world, and the truth about what happened to the ancient kingdom four hundred years ago. Prepare yourself, we enter the light.” Link and Tetra raised their hands as King seemed to sail himself directly into the light. The light shined up around them, and they closed their eyes. They knew not what they would soon discover.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 13: The Great, Drowned Land of Hyrule

 

 

“What…is this?” Tetra asked as her eyes searched around her. They were surrounded by a golden light as they seemed to be slowly sinking into the sea. At first Link and Tetra had panicked and held their breaths, but when they found they couldn’t hold them any longer, they gasped for air, only to find the water seemed oddly breathable. “King, tell me, what is this?”

 

“This is a portal,” King spoke. “We are descending beneath the Great Sea. Normally, you would not be able to breathe the water here, but through this portal you can. And you will soon discover that the sea is not a real sea.”

 

“Not a real sea? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Tetra turned to glance around, she still saw nothing at this time, just water as far as the eye could see.

 

“The Great Sea is like a bubble. To those who do not cross through the portal, you could swim indefinitely and never reach the bottom, but if you use the portal, you’ll find the sea is not as deep as you would imagine, and a land exists inside a bubble of air.”

 

“A land exists under the sea? In a bubble?” Tetra shook her head. “This is making no sense.”

 

“You’ll understand soon enough.” King was right, for no sooner had he finished his statement then did the gold light around them begin to dim. Tetra noticed as the water seemed to suddenly vanish from around them, and her eyes went wide. Before her, several hundred feet down, was a massive castle. Its great towers rose up, and she noticed they were descending down towards it, still moving slowly, as if by magic.

 

Tetra then noticed the land expanded outward, reaching out as far as the eye could see. She could see grass, she could see paths, and she could see a village far to the south. However, what truly caught her eyes was the fact that there seemed to be no color in this new land. It all seemed to be shades of grays, whites, and blacks. “What is this?” Tetra almost shouted.

 

“This is the Great Sunken Land of Hyrule!” King spoke. “Three hundred years ago, this kingdom existed prosperously. Until Ganon appeared and tried to take over the Kingdom.”

 

“The Kingdom from the legends…then…that land didn’t just disappear? It sank? But how?”

 

King closed his eyes. “I shall tell you the tale.”

 

* * *

 

“Your majesty!” a guard shouted as he rushed into the castle throne room. He stopped before the throne and bowed, breathing heavily. He had obviously been running for quite a ways. Upon the throne sat a rather tall man. He wore a red robe that had a blue tunic under it. He also wore a pair of tights to cover his legs and a pair of boots to cover his feet. His hair had gone gray in his old age and he wore a golden crown upon his head. This was the King of Hyrule.

 

“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” the King asked in a rather deep and angry voice.

 

“The darkness has returned, your majesty,” the guard spoke, his head bowed down.

 

“What darkness?”

 

“The Evil King…”

 

“Nonsense, he is nothing but legend.”

 

“But he has returned! He came from the mountains, just as the Princess said-”

 

“Silence!” the King bellowed out. “I’ll have no talk about visions my daughter has pretended to see.”

 

“But your majesty…”

 

“I said silence!” the King bellowed even louder. “Take him away,” he spoke to the guards at his side. The guards did as instructed and threw the man out of the throne room. “Feh…I don’t believe in ghosts of the past or in visions.”

 

“Then you will only believe it if you see with your own eyes?” a female voice spoke and the King turned to see his daughter standing in the shadows. He knew it was her as he could see the pink, sleeveless dress she wore, along with her long blonde hair that came to her waist. She couldn’t have been much younger then eighteen or so.

 

“What are you doing here, daughter?”

 

“Father, the darkness has returned! I saw it in my vision. The soldier speaks the truth. The man has returned. His seal was weakest at Death Mountain, and now he has found a way through it and to us. We must act now or lose all of Hyrule!”

 

“Silence!” the King shouted and his hand swung around, striking the princess across the face, knocking her down. “I will have no nonsense in my land. You say you have seen visions? It is impossible!”

 

“Father, please listen to me!” the Princess shouted as she slowly stood to her feet. “You must send the guard out at once!”

 

“Enough!” The King slapped his daughter once more and she fell to the ground once more. “The darkness you speak of is a lie! There is no darkness coming to this land, not now, not ever!”

 

* * *

 

“So…was the darkness really coming then?” Tetra asked as King finally set down. They now sat upon a small lake in the courtyard, only a few feet wide in any direction.

 

“Yes…” King spoke and looked down. “Unfortunately, it had…and the King did not realize it…However, the Princess knew what was coming, and she had a plan.”

 

* * *

 

“Father, you shame me…” the Princess spoke as she quickly covered herself with a cloak, pulling the hood over it. “If you will do nothing, then I will.”

 

“Are you sure of this?” an elderly woman asked as she stood next to the Princess.

 

“Yes, Impa, I’m quite sure of this. Father will not send out the guard…and the only other hope is the Hero of Time…”

 

“But where will you find him?”

 

“I will search in the Temple of Time…Last time he appeared six hundred years ago, he appeared there. Maybe, if I pray to the Goddesses there, he will appear.”

 

“You are certain of this?”

 

“No…but it’s the only option…” The Princess turned and walked to her window and tossed a rope out of it. “I will return with the Hero of Time, Impa.” She grabbed the rope and slowly made her way down the side of the castle. When she reached the ground, she rushed off. She quickly ran through the Hyrule Market and into a large church-like building. Inside was a small pedestal, and upon the pedestal lied three stones.

 

Behind the pedestal was a set of stairs that led up to an archway that held three golden triangles above it, forming an ancient symbol of Hyrule. Beyond the door lied a pedestal, and upon the pedestal lied a sword. Its blade shined brightly in the light cast down from the stained glass windows above it. The hilt of the sword was purple in color and formed a W shape with a grip extending out of it. A small golden triangle then rested at the middle of the W shape.

 

The Princess knelt down by the sword and closed her eyes. “Oh, Great Goddesses of Hyrule, I call upon you. The land is threatened once more by the evil that plagued our land six hundred years ago. Please, we need the Hero of Time once more. Please, Great Goddesses, deliver the hero to us once more, so that we may be delivered from this terrible fate.”

 

The Princess opened her eyes, and they went wide when she noticed a bright glow before her. She quickly jumped to her feet and stepped back, holding her hand up to block the light. A moment later, it vanished, and the room seemed to be filled with a red light. When the Princess pulled her hand down, her eyes fell upon a beautiful woman.

 

The woman’s eyes and hair were a beautiful fire-red color. Her outfit consisted of a strapless red dress that ended at her feet, along with two golden bracers around her wrists. Her hair was long, ending at her waist, while a pair of red wing-like objects sat in her hair. A golden circlet was around her head, and in the center was a fire-red diamond. She looked forward at the Princess and bowed.

 

“D-Din? Goddess of Power?” the Princess asked.

 

The woman before her nodded. “It is as you have said, I am Din,” the woman spoke. “We, the Goddesses, have heard your prayer.” She pulled her arms up across her chest and looked away. “However…we can do nothing…”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

“The Hero of Time…he was not taken up by us as the legends speak.”

 

“Then…he just left the land? And he’s dead?” the Princess asked, her head dropping.

 

“No…the truth is that the Princess Zelda sent him away.”

 

“Sent him away?” the Princess asked, looking up.

 

“Yes, six hundred years ago, when the world became at peace, the Princess used her powers to send the Hero of Time back seven years into the past. From there, the past was altered in his time.”

 

“The past was altered? Then you mean…”

 

“Time is split,” Din spoke and finally turned back to look at Zelda. “The Hero of Time no longer exists in this time and cannot be returned to you.”

 

“Then…what do we do?” the Princess asked.

 

“Take your people, lead them to the tops of the mountains.” Din turned and gripped the sword behind her and drew it from the pedestal. “Take the Master Sword as well. Hide it within your castle. Place it there, deep within, and in two days the Evil King will attack. We will then use our powers to drown Hyrule.”

 

“D-drown Hyrule?”

 

Din nodded. “It is the only way.”

 

“What of the people?”

 

“That is why you must take them to the mountains. There, high in the mountains, the flood will not harm them. The land of Hyrule shall become a Great Sea, and from there, the people will live on. In the end, one day, they will sprout and recreate Hyrule.”

 

“Is there nothing else that can be done?”

 

Din shook her head. “I fear not.” Tears began to run down the Princess’ cheeks and Din wrapped her arms around her. “Fear not, though, Princess, the Hero will return. The flood will not stop Ganondorf, but it will give us the time we need to bring him back, for in order to bring the Hero to this time, we will need another who can reach across the times.”

 

“Reach across the times?” the Princess asked.

 

Din nodded. “The Hero exists in another time, and with our power we cannot reach across to that time. However, we can create one who can, but she will be like any Hylian. She must be born, mature, and grow. She must then learn of her powers and how to use them. Then we will visit with her and use her powers to find the Hero of Time and bring him to this time, but he too must then be born, mature, and grow.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Then go, Princess, you haven’t much time. Two days is all we can give you.”

 

“I understand,” the Princess spoke and stood to her feet. She took the Master Sword in hand and quickly rushed off, back to the castle.

 

* * *

 

“What happened then?” Link asked.

 

“The King did not listen…” King spoke, “the people were separated…some went to the mountains, others followed the King’s orders… Two days later, the castle fell under siege and the Evil King almost conquered Hyrule…at the last moment, the flood came and drowned Hyrule.”

 

“But…it doesn’t look drowned,” Tetra spoke as she looked around. “It looks…frozen…”

 

“Yes, that was the truth. Time was frozen and the kingdom was drowned. It was left under a bubble so that when the land was discovered again, those left behind could remake Hyrule.”

 

“And who did the Goddesses form to reach through time?” Link asked.

 

King shook his head. “I don’t know.”

 

“How do you know all of this?” Tetra asked.

 

“The answer to that…you’ll discover in time. Link, you must get the Master Sword now. It lies under the castle. You will find a room beneath the statue of the Hero of Time inside the castle. Form the Triforce, and the statue will open.”

 

“Triforce?” Link asked.

 

King nodded. “Three triangles that form one triangle. Form it upon the statue, and the Master Sword will be yours to claim.”

 

Link nodded and hopped off of King. “I’ll do it then.”

 

“Hurry,” King spoke and Link rushed forward into the castle. Inside he found the castle was filled with all manner of monsters. Some he had seen, such as the Bokoblins, but others he had not. One looked like a mighty knight covered in armor, a large, double-handed sword in their hands, yet they wielded them with only a single hand. They each also carried shields, and the Mark of the Evil King rested upon their shields.

 

There were also Moblins throughout the castle as well. They were giant pig-human beasts who wielded spears as their weapons. Link then noticed the beasts had laid destruction to the castle. Things had been tossed over, railings broken on the second floor, and the bodies of guards killed in battle three hundred years before littered the ground. Everything was frozen in place, the monsters showing no sign of aging, nor the dead bodies showing any sign of decay.

 

In the center of the room Link noticed what he had come to find. A large statue sat there of a man dressed in a tunic much like Link’s. In his left hand was a large sword that matched the description of the Master Sword, and his right hand was a shield that had a reflective surface, much like it was a mirror. The symbol of Hyrule, a phoenix rising up and surrounding three golden triangles, was upon the shield. “Those triangles,” Link spoke. “The Triforce?”

 

Link then looked down, noticing the same symbol on the front of the statue. However, the triangles looked odd, as if they had been misplaced. Link rose his hand and slid one of the triangles into place, and it pushed back and into the statue. He did it once more with the other two, forming three triangles with a triangle missing in the center. Suddenly, the statue began to rumble as slowly moved backwards, revealing a set of stone stairs that led down into darkness.

 

Link pulled his courage together and stepped down into the darkness, following the stairs carefully. Soon, he found himself in a large circular room and his eyes went wide. “This room…” he spoke. He turned, seeing six stained glass windows around the room. Each one had a picture of someone else upon it.

 

Suddenly, Link grabbed his head and fell to his knees. He felt a strange pain as memories seemed to flood into his mind. “What…is this?” he asked as he struggled. The memories each played themselves out before his eyes, and his eyes went wide. He suddenly looked up at the windows, glancing at each one. “Saria, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, Nabooru, and Rauru…” he spoke. “Why do I feel like…I’m remembering an old past?”

 

Link stood to his feet and walked forward. In the center of the room lied a circular platform. Six statues stood around the platform, their swords up and ready, as if to fight. It was there, in the center of the platform that Link saw it. It was the Master Sword, and he quickly rushed forward to grab it. As his hand grew near it, he noticed that the hilt of the blade seemed strange. The statue showed the hilt forming a W shape, but this blade didn’t have that. Although, it looked as if the sides of the hilt could pull out to form the shape.

 

“This…is the Master Sword…right?” Link asked himself as he stepped forward and gripped the hilt of the blade. At once, he found himself transported into a white room, before him stood a dark figure that looked exactly like him, but wore a black tunic and had dark hair. In his hand was a shield that looked exactly like Link’s, but it looked like the colors had been inverted, making it black. The man also wielded a sword that looked exactly like a black version of the Master Sword. “Who are you?” Link shouted.

 

“You are not the Hero of Time,” the dark man spoke in a whispery voice and this caused Link to take a step back.

 

“Wh-what do you mean?”

 

“You are not the Hero of Time,” the dark man repeated. The man took a step back, as if to charge. Suddenly, the man vanished and Link fell to the ground. The man was now behind him, pushing him to the ground with his shield. “Give it up, boy.”

 

“N-no!” Link shouted and pushed himself up, knocking the man back. “Who are you to tell me who I am or am not?”

 

“I am you. I am your hate, your anger, your desire for revenge.”

 

“R-revenge? What revenge?”

 

“Revenge for the loss of your father. Revenge for the loss of your mother.”

 

“F-father died in a storm! And mother…she died…giving birth…”

 

“The same storm you braved. It must have been Ganon’s work,” the dark man spoke and Link’s eyes went wide. He was right. It was exactly the same storm. Nayru’s pearl had dispelled the storm the first time, and again the second time. “Your mother, you think she died naturally?”

 

Link growled. “Yes!”

 

“Wrong!” the dark man shouted. “You know it in your heart. Ever since you discovered the powers of Ganon, ever since you discovered his evils, you know it was him. He poisoned your mother!”

 

Link’s eyes went wide once more. It was true, the thought had crossed his mind more then once before. The thought that maybe Ganon had caused his mother’s death. But why? Why would he want to take her out? “Outset Island,” the dark man spoke. “You know what it means. ‘Island of the Hero’. You were born there, and you know as well as me that all the women who have had children there in the last ten years have died!”

 

Link’s fists balled up. The man was speaking the truth, and he could feel the anger burning inside of him. “Who will be the next victim be? You want to kill Ganon before he can kill anyone else.”

 

“I must…I must get the Master Sword…I have to save my sister…stop Ganon…”

 

“Why? Revenge for those he’s killed? He’s killed for many long years. Back in the past, when it took seven years for the Hero to appear. Back three hundred years ago when he tried to destroy Hyrule. Now, while he sits in the Forsaken Fortress, killing more and more. What makes you so certain Aryll is even still alive?” A grin appeared the dark man’s face.

 

“She is still alive! And I will save her, and I will kill Ganon!”

 

“No!” the dark man shouted. Link felt the dark man’s sword cut through his chest, and he collapsed to the ground. His whole body felt like he had just been chopped in half, though he had no visible wounds. “You are not the Hero of Time.”

 

Link growled and pushed himself to his feet. “Why do you say that?”

 

“The Hero of Time cannot hate. He cannot desire revenge. These are things of evil, and evil cannot touch the Master Sword.”

 

“Then…I need to remove these things…hatred and revenge…”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And if I do…I’ll be the Hero of Time?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“You are not the Hero of Time.”

 

Link roared and stood to his feet. “Test me! Test me and see if I am or not! I forgive my past, and I hold no hatred or revenge in my heart! Test me now!”

 

The dark man smirked. “If I test you, you will die.”

 

“Try me…”

 

The dark man rose his sword. “Very well.” Suddenly, Link felt the man’s sword stab through his chest. His eyes went wide, but after a moment, he realized he felt no pain. The pain from the other attacks seemed to be slowly vanishing, and the dark man drew his sword back. “You are the Hero of Time…” he spoke and bowed, driving his sword into the ground. “The darkness in you is fading…there is nothing left to cling to…”

 

The white room seemed to fade away along with the dark man. Link’s hand once again rested on the hilt of the Master Sword, and he gripped it firmly. He closed his eyes, breathing out. “I am the Hero of Time,” he spoke and pulled the Master Sword from the pedestal. He rose it up into the air and he smiled. “I am the Hero of Time!” he shouted.

 

Suddenly, color shout out from the pedestal, and Link noticed as the world around him suddenly became full of color. He quickly rushed up the stairs, only to find the monsters had begun roaming the castle once more. Time had resumed, and he was stuck in the middle of an army.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 14: Return to the Forsaken Fortress

 

 

Link collapsed to the ground, panting for breath. All around him lied the bodies of his enemies, the army he had slaughtered in an attempt to escape the castle. The clank of steel covered footsteps could be heard from not too far off, and Link growled. “Fuck…” Link swore, then pulled himself to his feet and turned around. In front of him now lie one of Ganon’s knights known as a Darknut. “Aw damn it…not another one of you…”

 

“You will not survive, Hero of Time!” the Darknut shouted and rushed forward. Link quickly swung up with his sword, and the Darknut countered the blow. The mighty knight seemed to be having no difficulty wielding such a massive blade with a single hand, and this put Link at a disadvantage.

 

“Yeah? Well, if I’m the Hero of Time, then it’s my job to survive and kill you!” Link quickly pushed off with his sword, pushing the Darknut back ever so slightly. With a quick swing of his shield, he struck the Darknut in the face splintering the wooden shield apart upon the knight’s helmet. With a quick turn, he then brought his sword down, striking the Darknut from shoulder to waist, making him roar in pain, then collapse to the ground, now cut in half. “Aw shit! That was my family’s shield, too…”

 

Link turned to glance around the interior of the castle. His eyes were searching for any sort of movement they could find, but they found nothing. Link gave a sigh of relief then put his hand to his chest. His heart was beating fast, and he was exhausted. “Just got to get back to King now…shouldn’t be too hard…” He sheathed his sword and walked forward, making his way back outside to the courtyard where King and Tetra were.

 

“Took you long enough,” Tetra spoke, folding her arms over her chest.

 

“Did you get it?” King asked.

 

Link nodded. “Yes.” He drew his sword and held it out.

 

“Yes, that’s most definitely the Evil-Slaying Sword…though something about it seems…odd…”

 

“How so?”

 

King shook his head. “Perhaps it is my imagination. With that sword, we can rescue your sister.”

 

“Awesome!” Link shouted and smiled, sheathing the sword. “But first…” He stepped into the boat and sat down, putting his head back. “I’m taking a nap…there were at least fifty monsters in there that all came to life once I drew the Master Sword.”

 

“Yes…I noticed the color had returned to the land…Time is no longer frozen here. We must hurry.”

 

“So far, I haven’t seen a purpose to my coming along with you,” Tetra spoke.

 

“Your purpose…” King spoke, pausing for a few seconds. “If I am correct, it will be revealed soon enough.”

 

“What the hell does that mean?”

 

“You’ll find out.” With that, King turned and a golden light shot up from under him which rose them back up to the top of the Great Sea. “Now, on to the Forsaken Fortress.” Tetra took the rudder, noticing Link had fallen fast asleep. She noted the wind was blowing to the northwest, which was where they needed to go. She pulled up the sail, and the wind caught in it, allowing them to set off towards the Forsaken Fortress.

 

* * *

 

Ganon stood before his prisoners, staring at each one individually. As he did, he saw Aryll jump to her feet and glare in his direction. “Yes?” he asked.

 

“My Onii-sama will be back!” Aryll spoke.

 

Ganon laughed. “Will he now? What makes you think that?”

 

“Because my Onii-sama has the courage to save us.”

 

“The courage to save you?” Ganon laughed loudly. “Please! He may be wearing the Hero’s Clothes, regardless of how unbearably warm they look, but his courage is nothing as compared to the courage of the Hero of Time.”

 

“Why do you keep us here?” one of the other prisoners asked as she looked up at Ganon.

 

“Why not? It’s one less pointed eared girl I have to capture.”

 

“And just what are you seeking capturing pointed eared girls?” the third girl asked.

 

Ganon laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

 

Aryll growled. “Onii-sama will save us, no matter what!” she shouted. This just made Ganon laugh more.

 

“Let me tell you something, little girl,” Ganon spoke as he gripped Aryll’s dress by the collar and pulled her close. “You are nothing to me. I could kill you in a single instant.”

 

Aryll struggled to pull away from Ganon’s grip. “Let me go!”

 

“As you wish.” Ganon pulled his hand back and tossed Aryll across the cell. She slammed against the cell wall, then slumped down, wincing in pain. “May that be a warning. Any who dare defy me will get much worse.” He then turned and walked out of the cell, closing the door behind him.

 

Just as he shut the door, Ganon felt something grip him. He collapsed to one knee, growling. Pain surged through every muscle of his body, but he enjoyed the feeling. There was only one thing that could cause this kind of reaction, and that was the return of his power. After a moment, he laughed loudly and stood to his feet, fire now in his eyes. “So, this is it then, is it? The boy has drawn the Master Sword.”

 

Ganon rose his hand up and a ball of flame appeared in his hand. He laughed even louder and unleashed it out the nearby window. “Yes! Yes!” he shouted thrust his hands to his side. In an instant, an army of ten soldiers appeared at his side in a blaze of flame. “You’re coming here now, aren’t you, boy? Yes…I’m certain of it…Then…I’ll let you come.”

 

Ganon thrust his hand to his side once more, and this time smoke arose in front of him. It grew and took form into a massive being of darkness. A two handed blade rested in its hand, and its body was covered in black armor. Two eyes of fire could be seen beneath the helmet, and a long, black cape flowed off its back. The beast knelt down before Ganon, and he smirked. “My Phantom, welcome to the World of the Living once more.”

 

“What do you need of me, Lord Ganon?” the phantom asked.

 

“The Hero of Time will be here soon. He is on his way from Hyrule to this place. I want you to be there to…greet him when he arrives.” A smirk formed across Ganon’s mouth.

 

“As you wish, Lord Ganon.” The Phantom then disappeared in a puff of smoke and Ganon laughed loudly.

 

* * *

 

“We’re here, Link,” Tetra spoke as she shook Link. However, what followed surprised even her. Link had taken her hand and pulled her down. “What the…Link?”

 

“I love you,” Link spoke, though he seemed not to have even opened his eyes yet.

 

“What the hell?” Tetra smacked Link across the face, and his eyes went wide as he rolled onto his side. She snorted and folded her arms over her chest. “How rude…to talk about loving someone in your sleep.”

 

“I what?” Link rubbed his cheek.

 

Tetra growled. “Just wake the hell up and get your ass in there already!”

 

Link rubbed his eyes and sat up, stretching. “Sorry…now, what’s the plan here?”

 

“We barrel in,” King spoke.

 

“Barrel in? How the hell do we do that?” Link asked.

 

“With help,” Tetra spoke and stood to her feet. She waved and Link turned, now seeing Tetra’s pirate ship was not too far off. One of the pirates had noticed her wave and the boat began to move in their direction. “We’ll cover you, you get in there and save your sister.”

 

“Understood.” Link nodded. Once the ship arrived, the crew tossed Tetra a ladder and she quickly climbed on board. A moment later, and cannons were firing in the direction of the Fortress. “Here we go!” Link grabbed the rudder and waved the Wind Waker towards the only entrance to the Fortress. King quickly swung around and, while the Fortress’ cannons were occupied with Tetra’s ship, quickly sped inside the Fortress.

 

“Go! Go!” King shouted and Link quickly leaped out of the boat and onto the land. He drew his sword and rushed forward, running up the stairs. At once he was met by a group of small imps. Link quickly pulled his sword back and energy began to swirl into the blade.

 

“KaiTenGiri!” Link shouted and spun in place, unleashing the energy out in a circle around him which cut away the imps. Unlike the monsters from before, these ones seemed to pop into a puff of smoke, then vanish. He then growled and rushed forward, making his way deeper into the Fortress.

 

Link fought fiercely as he fought his way through the Fortress, taking out all manner of Ganon’s minions. From imps to Bokoblins to Moblins, they all fell before Link’s sword, and with each creature he killed, they seemed to disperse into magic. “This is weird,” he spoke as he killed the last Moblin in sight, watching it disperse. “Something’s not right here…”

 

“So, you’ve seen through it, have you?” a deep voice asked and Link readied himself.

 

“Whose there?”

 

“A spectre from your past.”

 

“From my past?”

 

“Yes, Link, from your past. A thousand years ago we fought in battle, deep within the Lost Woods and even deeper still into the Sacred Forest Meadow.”

 

Link grabbed his head as memories seemed to flood into his mind. He remembered things. A girl dressed in green, he had loved her once. A forest filled with children in green clothes. They were attacked, forced to hide in their homes. Then a hero came and saved them, no, not just any hero, it was him. Link’s eyes went wide as he saw a memory of a temple buried deep in the forest. “You…your Ganon’s Phantom!” he shouted out.

 

“Correct!” the Phantom shouted, then appeared before Link in a huge cloud of smoke. He drew his sword and rushed at Link, the two colliding their swords together. Neither budged as they growled, pushing against one another.

 

“I remember you! Ganon took over the Forest Temple. You were then left to guard it. I fought you, and I freed the Sage of Forest. The girl I used to love dearly. I saved her from you.”

 

“Yes.” The Phantom quickly jumped back, but his feet never touched the ground as he began to float.

 

“But Ganondorf sealed you away in the Realm Between Dimensions.” Link growled. “And now your back.”

 

“And even stronger,” the Phantom spoke and rushed forward. Link rose the Master Sword and blocked the attack. The two growled once more and after a moment the Phantom began to laugh. “You know, you’re weak.”

 

“Am not.”

 

“You’re so weak you can’t even use the power of the Master Sword.”

 

“What power?” Link growled.

 

The Phantom laughed. “Like I would tell you!” The Phantom grabbed his sword with his second hand and pushed Link back, knocking him to the ground. “Now die!” he shouted.

 

Suddenly, a memory jumped through Link’s mind, and he quickly aimed the Master Sword forward. It began to glow brightly, and the Phantom roared pulling his hands up to his face. A large beam of light then shot forward from the sword striking the Phantom in the chest. He roared and the light seemed to crack through his body. Finally, the Phantom’s body shattered apart. “Damn…what the hell was that?” Link asked and breathed deeply.

 

Link pushed himself to his feet and readied his sword as he continued to make his way deeper into the Fortress. It didn’t take him very long before he had reached the door to Prison Tower, and his hand pushed against it, making the door creek open. “Onii-sama!” Aryll shouted at once.

 

Link smiled and waved, then readied himself as he looked up. The bird that had grabbed him before was nowhere in sight. Slowly, he made his way to the cell and struck the lock with his sword, which seemed to melt the lock apart. “This is getting weirder and weirder…” he spoke before opening the door.

 

At once, Aryll jumped on him, knocking him to the ground. Her arms wrapped around him in a hug and a look of sheer joy to finally be free and finally see her brother again was upon her face. “Thank you, Onii-sama,” she spoke. Tears then formed in her eyes and Link noticed it.

 

“Aryll, what’s wrong?”

 

“I…I was afraid…”

 

“Afraid of what?”

 

“That…Onii-sama was dead…” This left a shocked expression upon the other girls in the cell. “I knew…you’d save us…but after the bird took you away…and you didn’t appear again…I began to think…you might be dead…I tried not to lose faith…but it was so hard…”

 

“There, there, I’m here now,” Link spoke and smiled as he held Aryll closer. “Once we kill the bird and bring the man that imprisoned you all to justice, we’ll all go home together, back to Outset Island, ok?”

 

Aryll sniffed and nodded. “Okay.”

 

“Oy!” Tetra shouted and Link turned. She had a very angry expression on her face. “Are you going to sit here all day, or are we going to finish this? You’ve got a job to do still, remember?”

 

Link nodded and stood to his feet, setting Aryll down. “Can you take care of them?” he asked.

 

Tetra nodded. “We’ll get them back to their islands. You just take care of the bird and Ganon.”

 

“Understood.” Link drew his sword and looked up. “Where is the bird, though?”

 

“My crew had it distracted. We hit it in the head a couple times, cracked its helmet good, but you’ll have to find a way to get through the rest of that things helmet.”

 

Link nodded and looked down to his sword. “I think…I can…” He rose his sword up and closed his eyes. “If there was ever a good time for a vision to flow through me, now would be it.” It was just as Link asked for, a vision flooded through his mind. He was standing there, his sword in his hand. He swung the sword in six different patterns, each one producing a different attack.

 

Link looked up once more when the vision stopped and he nodded. “I understand.” He quickly rushed up the stairs that swirled around the edge of the tower, leading higher and higher up the tower. At the top, he turned to seek out his opponent, but his eyes did not have far to search, for the great Helmaroc King was already there, waiting for him at the top.

 

“All right, bird,” Link spoke as he aimed his sword forward. “It’s time this ends.”

 

“How right you are,” a deep voice spoke and Link turned to see Ganon not too far off. He was smirking. “Well, don’t let me intrude. Please, go ahead, fight the bird with that pathetic sword.”

 

“What do you mean?” Link asked.

 

Ganon laughed. “You fool, that blade may be the Master Sword, but even I can see the truth. The sword’s power to repel and slay evil…is gone!”

 

“What?” Link looked down at his sword. So that’s what it was. That’s why it seemed so much different from the statue and from his memories.

 

Ganon laughed. “You may have the power of the six sages, but you do not have the power to destroy me with that dull blade. Helmaroc King, destroy this boy!”

 

The Helmaroc King squawked loudly and flew into the air. Link gripped the Master Sword tight and turned, swinging his sword up in an arc. “Forest Beam!” he shouted and a huge arc of green energy formed before Link, then shot forward, striking the Helmaroc King hard. It squawked loudly and collapsed to the top of the tower. It shook as it tried to pull itself up, only to be struck by another blast of Link’s Forest Beam.

 

“Now we end this.” Link held the sword in the air, then brought it down, swinging it in a sideways figure-eight motion in front of him. He then thrust his sword into the top of the tower and fire burst up the blade. “Flaming Dragons!” he shouted and rose the sword up. As he did, fire followed up, forming into six large dragons made of pure fire. They roared and came down, striking against the Helmaroc King.

 

The giant bird screeched in pain as the flames licked its body. It began to swing its massive wings about wildly, and the flames on its body seemed to jump off and lick the surrounding towers. Finally, it gave one final screech and fell backward off the tower, slamming head first into the solid ground beneath it. Its neck snapped, and its body collapsed, twitching for only a moment before it finally died.

 

Link then turned, his sword held at the ready. “Now for you.”

 

Ganon laughed once more. “Yes, you are most certainly the Hero of Time!” he laughed once more then rose his hand. A huge ball of energy formed in his hand then shot forward, striking Link and knocking him back. “You stupid kid. How many times will we have to continue this battle before you finally give up?” He grabbed Link by the hand and rose him up.

 

“I’ll never give up!” Link shouted. “Even if I have to die and come back a hundred times!”

 

Ganon growled and tossed Link away. Quickly, a hand reached out and grabbed him before he could fly off the tower. Link felt himself get tugged back rather roughly, and when he looked up, he saw Tetra standing before him. “Tetra?” he asked.

 

“You looked like you needed some help,” Tetra smiled and winked.

 

Ganon laughed. “And who exactly are you?” he asked.

 

“Name’s Tetra, Queen of the Pirates.” Tetra grabbed the blade at her side and drew it, holding it forward. “Remember it on your way to hell.”

 

Ganon laughed. “Your as foolish as the boy is! Fine, you want to die as well, then so be it!” Ganon rose his hands into the air and laughed. “Triforce of Power, head my words! Give me power, give me strength!” Soon, a massive ball of dark energy formed above Ganon’s head and he laughed insanely. “Die!” he shouted and tossed the orb forward.

 

Quickly, Link jumped in front of Tetra and held the Master Sword in front of him. “Spirit Barrier!” he shouted and a huge orb of golden energy swirled around him and Tetra. The orb of dark energy struck Link’s barrier and he pushed forward upon his blade, as if trying to hold the attack back.

 

Suddenly, Tetra’s eyes glowed and her necklace floated up and out of her shirt. It began to glow brightly, and Link felt the barrier strengthened by the glow. Finally, Link pushed the hardest he could and the barrier pushed the attack back, causing it to fly off into the air.

 

Ganon growled for a moment, then a smirk crossed his face. “So, she’s the one is she?” He began to laugh insanely once more. “This is it then! All three of us are together! Triforce, hear my call, come out from us and come together!” He rose his hand into the air, and after a moment, nothing happened. “What?” he growled and looked forward. His eyes went wide when he saw Tetra’s necklace. “No! You…you broke the Triforce of Wisdom?”

 

It was true, the charm on Tetra’s necklace was a golden triangle, but a piece of it was missing, making it appear like an arrow instead of a triangle. “And you…” Ganon grabbed Link by the collar. “You don’t even have the Triforce of Courage?!” He tossed Link to the ground.

 

“Fausana!” a voice shouted and Ganon turned. Before him, flying in the air, was Valoo. Ganon turned only to see Link and Tetra lifted into the air by two Rito. One of them was Komali, the other was Quill. Valoo inhaled deeply and Ganon turned. Ganon’s face showed no emotion as Valoo unleashed his fiery breath upon Ganon and his tower. Ganon roared loudly as Valoo, Komali, and Quill flew off, taking Tetra and Link with them.

 

[EmilyAnnCoons 7]

Chapter 15: The Princess of Destiny

 

 

“Zei, jo ye ali Neume ke Ziirum?” Valoo asked as he stared down at Tetra. He seemed to be speaking about her, though his words were directed to the King of Red Lions. Tetra and Link were currently sitting inside of King while Valoo, Quill, and Komali sat atop the ring of the Tower of the Gods.

 

“Alu,” King respond, nodding his head.

 

“Sosta Ganon jyun hilenne dea pue ubela…”

 

“Alu.”

 

Valoo closed his eyes and sighed. “Tain soia garno mern ubela zei, bavu qell bavu ali ubela ke ali Yolanizu.”

 

King nodded. “Zei mii ye bavu ani rendelne?”

 

“Alu.”

 

King looked down, he looked worried. “Lian qell. Ani hoss helna isen bansalei ali bakuey.”

 

“Zoirun.” Valoo spread his wings and roared loudly, signaling it was time to leave.

 

“See ya, Link,” Komali spoke and smiled. “Oh, and, thanks again for giving me courage back there. I really needed it.”

 

Link rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t mention it, Komali,” he spoke.

 

“Hmph!” Tetra shouted and folded her arms. “So, what the hell was that all about?”

 

King turned his head to look at Tetra. “What do you mean?” he asked.

 

“You and Valoo. What were you talking about? Why was Valoo staring at me the whole time?”

 

“That…I cannot say at this moment…we must return to Hyrule, there is much to discuss.”

 

“Why can’t we discuss it here?”

 

“Because…you must discuss it with another…”

 

“Another?” Link asked, tilting his head. “Who else still lives in Hyrule?”

 

“You’ll see, Link, you’ll see.” With those words, Link grabbed hold of the rudder and turned them towards the tower. Once again the golden light rose up around them and they began their descent down into Hyrule once again.

 

It took them only a short time to reach the castle under the Great Sea. King had not spoken a word, nor had Link and Tetra the whole way down. Link sighed as he stood up, looking towards the castle that now loomed overhead. “So, where do we go this time, King?” he asked, then turned, noticing King was oddly quiet. “King?” He hopped off the boat and stepped around in front of it. King didn’t seem to respond in the least.

 

“Come down here,” a deep voice suddenly spoke, making Link jump three feet in the air.

 

“Who said that?” Link shouted.

 

“Check the stone,” the voice spoke once more and Link pulled the stone out of his shirt. “That’s it.”

 

“Who the hell are you?” Tetra shouted. “Only Link and I can talk through that stone, how can you, too?”

 

The voice laughed. “My dear young pirate, you know so little. I will explain everything when you arrive. Quickly, come down here, I wait in the room that held the Master Sword.”

 

“The Master Sword, huh?” Tetra sighed. “Well, you know where you got it from, so lead the way.”

 

Link nodded and turned towards the castle. For a moment, he turned back to look at King. There was something oddly familiar about the voice from the stone, but where had he heard it from? It couldn’t have been King…if it had, why would he have spoken through the stone? Why not just speak regularly? On top of that, King was there, in the water, and whoever this was was in the basement of the castle. No, there was no possible way it could be him.

 

Link then walked around and reached up to help Tetra out of the boat. She reluctantly took his hand and stepped out. The two then turned towards the castle and made their way up the stairs and into the entrance ahead of them. They went the same way Link had gone before, soon reaching the statue to find the pathway down was open.

 

“Wow…” Tetra spoke as she stared up at the statue.

 

“What?” Link asked, turning to look at her.

 

“The Hero of Time…I always believed…the stories were true…but a part of me told me they couldn’t be…”

 

Link looked up at the statue and smiled. “Maybe I’ll be as great as him. I am the new Hero of Time, after all.”

 

Tetra gave out a loud “Ha!” at that. “You? As good as the original Hero of Time? Your head must be in the clouds, kid.”

 

“Kid?” Link stared at her.

 

“Yeah, yeah, I know, Link, whatever.”

 

“Thank you,” Link spoke and turned to the stairs. “Besides, you can’t be much older then me.”

 

Tetra growled, but he was right. She had never said it, but she herself had turned seventeen not too long ago, which put her at a year older then Link. “Let’s just go…”

 

Link nodded. “Right, just down these stairs and through a little water and we’ll be there.” Tetra nodded and the two made their way down the stairs and through the ankle-deep water that lied in the bottom of the basement. It was there that they saw a man, standing before the pedestal which Link had pulled the Master Sword from.

 

The man was rather tall and he wore a red robe that had a blue tunic under it. He also wore a pair of tights to cover his legs and a pair of boots to cover his feet. His hair had gone gray in his old age and he wore a golden crown upon his head. “Stay here,” Link spoke in a whisper to Tetra.

 

“Are you serious? I’m the fuckin’ pirate queen, you don’t think I can handle myself?” Tetra whispered back.

 

Link sighed, she was right about that. She could handle herself. Link moved his hand behind his back and gripped the hilt of the Master Sword. Tetra also grabbed the hilt of her own sword. “We’re here!” Link shouted rather loudly. “Now what do you want? Who are you?”

 

The man laughed, a smirk crossing his face. “You can release your weapons, I mean you no harm,” he spoke, but Link and Tetra only gripped them tighter. The man turned to look at Link and Tetra, the smirk changing to a frown. “You don’t recognize me?”

 

“Why should I?” Link asked.

 

“Think a moment, listen to my voice. That will tell you who I am.”

 

Link looked back at Tetra, then back up at the man. “You sound like our boat-”

 

“And that I am!” the man shouted rather suddenly.

 

“Wait a minute…what?”

 

The man laughed. “I am King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. Three hundred years ago, I ruled over Hyrule. My daughter, the Princess Zelda, warned me of Ganondorf’s coming, but I would not listen. As such, the Goddess of Courage, Farore, came down upon our world. To pay for my sins, she crafted a boat and placed my soul within. Nayru, Goddess of Wisdom, then separated the Triforce of Wisdom and gave half to me.”

 

Link let his grip loosen, and soon he and Tetra had released the hold on their blades. “The…Triforce of Wisdom? You’ve talked about that…”

 

King nodded. “And now it is time for you to know the truth.”

 

* * *

 

“Godesses of Hyrule, hear my prayer!” King shouted as he rose his hands to the sky. Rain was pouring down all around him, and he was soaking wet. “I…I beg your forgiveness! My daughter…Zelda…she had a vision…but I did not listen…please, forgive me for what I have done!”

 

“Your sins can be forgiven,” an earthen voice spoke and King whirled around. Before him was the Goddess Farore. “However, they cannot be forgiven so easily. You and all of Hyrule are now destined to pay for your sins.”

 

“Please…Farore…my goddess…I ask, is there anything I can do, anything at all, to pay for what I have done?”

 

“There is one thing. When the rain stops, and the flood is finished, we will need a vessel to carry the Triforce of Wisdom.”

 

“We will be separating it in half,” a more aquatic voice spoke and King turned to see Nayru standing before him. “Half will stay with the remainder of the Royal Family and will be passed down from princess to princess.”

 

“The other half,” a more firey voice spoke and King turned once more to now see Din standing before him, a look of anger was upon her face, “will be given to you.”

 

Farore closed her eyes and raised her hands, in an instant a tree grew up around King. Din reached forth her hands and with a wave fire was unleashed upon the tree. She swirled it and soon, the tree was left in the form of a boat, with King himself now combined within it. Nayru then rose her hands and a golden triangle appeared between them. With a wave of her hand a triangular piece was sundered from the bottom, and she handed it to King, where it vanished inside of him.

 

“So to is your punishment,” Din spoke. “You will be trapped in that form until the day the Hero arrives.”

 

“You will wander aimlessly for the rest of your days. You will know no one, and no one shall acknowledge your existence,” Nayru spoke. “Seek ye the Hero of Time, lest you be trapped this way.”

 

“The Hero of Time shall remove our curse upon you. However, you shall still be trapped in this form until the day you return here to Hyrule,” Farore spoke.

 

“Now listen to our words, for we shall speak them only once,” Din spoke. “The Hero shall be born upon the island of Outset, thus bearing his name. Upon Outset, we shall also place the Triforce of Courage. It shall be split into eight, and we shall forge a magical labyrinth in which only the Hero of Time can maneuver and survive.”

 

“When the time comes, all of this must be revealed to the Princess and the Hero of Time,” Nayru spoke. “Remember now what has happened these days, and never forget them.” With those words, the Goddesses seemed to vanish, and King was left to stare into the sky.

 

“I shall never forget…” King spoke, closing his eyes as the rain continued to pour around him.

 

* * *

 

“And that is why I speak these words to you now,” King spoke as he looked down at Link and Tetra.

 

“But…didn’t you just say you needed to tell the Princess and the Hero of Time these things?” Link asked.

 

King smirked. “You catch on quickly I see. Yes, you are correct, I needed to speak of these things to both the Hero of Time and the Princess.” He turned to look at Tetra. “And the Princess is right before our eyes.”

 

Tetra blinked. “Wait…” she spoke, blinking once more. “You don’t mean…I’m not a…What the hell are you trying to say, old man?”

 

King’s eye twitched at those words. “Old man? Who are you calling an old man?”

 

“You are over three hundred years old, after all,” Tetra spoke with a shrug. “So, you’re old.”

 

King growled a little, but her words were true. He cleared his throat. “What I am saying, young lady, is that you are the Princess of Destiny.”

 

Tetra suppressed a chuckle. “Seriously? You think you can just blab about some ancient story that supposedly happened to you, then suddenly announce I’m this Princess of Destiny and expect me to believe it? You’re crazy! Come on, Link.” Tetra turned to walk away.

 

“Hold, young one,” King spoke and Tetra stopped in her tracks.

 

“What?”

 

“That necklace, show it to me.”

 

Tetra blinked again and pulled the necklace from her shirt. “This one?”

 

King smirked and held his hand forward, in an instant, small, golden triangle appeared in his hand. He rose his other hand, and the charm on Tetra’s neck vanished, re-appearing before King. He held his hands apart, both the charm and the triangle now floating between his hands. He slowly brought them together and a smirk formed on his face when they fit together perfectly. Tetra went to speak, but a bright light shined forth and she covered her eyes.

 

* * *

 

“Where…am I?” Tetra asked as she opened her eyes, seeing nothing but light in all directions of her.

 

A female voice giggled. “You’re with me, silly.”

 

“With…you? Who the hell are you? Where are you?”

 

The voice giggled again. “My name’s Zelda. I’ve been waiting to meet you for a long time, Tetra.”

 

“Zelda? How do you know my name?”

 

“Because, I foresaw this day three hundred years ago.” The light seemed to dim down and soon Tetra saw a female form appear before her. A moment later, and she could make out a purple dress that covered her body. The next thing she noticed was her hair. It was quite long, at least waist length if not longer, and blonde in color. Her blue eyes then became visible, and Tetra’s eyes went wide.

 

“You’re…the Princess!”

 

Zelda giggled and nodded. “That I am, and so are you.”

 

“Wh-what? Oh no, no way in hell. I am not a Princess. I’m a pirate queen, nothing else.”

 

“Oh? Then why do you fantasize about being a Princess?”

 

Tetra seemed to choke on those words. “You…how…WHAT?!”

 

Zelda giggled again. “I know everything about you, Tetra. I saw your life three hundred years before you were born. I saw you grow up. I saw all your wishes and fantasies. I saw this meeting, and even…” she giggled again, “…who you’d marry in the future.”

 

“WHAT?!” Tetra shouted once more. “Oh hell no! There is no fuckin’ way you saw all of this. I mean…come on…I don’t care if you are some Princess from ancient Hyrule, there is no way that-”

 

“The Triforce of Wisdom sees much, Tetra. It gives us visions of the future. Sometimes we need to know it, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes, the visions are unclear…like a dark cloud over the land representing Ganondorf and his army getting ready to attack. No, Tetra, I have foreseen all of this, and soon, you will as well.” Zelda reached her hand forward and Tetra jumped back.

 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

 

“I’m going to share my memories with you. Once I do, you’ll understand everything. You’ll understand the Hero of Time, you’ll understand yourself, and you’ll understand what happened to this land.”

 

“No,” Tetra spoke stubbornly.

 

Zelda shrugged. “Well, have it your way, then.” With a quick twirl, Zelda vanished and Tetra was left staring at nothing.

 

“That…was easy…but…why am I still-”

 

Tetra’s sentence was cut off when a finger reached out from the light behind Tetra and touched the back of her head. Her eyes went wide and her mouth hung open. Visions of the past flashed through her mind, though they seemed like they dragged on, showing her several hundred years of history before her very eyes. One memory in particular, stuck in her mind.

 

* * *

 

“Queen Zelda Shelias de Christine Susan Olivia Margaret Hyrule,” Din spoke as she stared down at Zelda. The room was pitch black and Zelda found herself surrounded by the three Goddesses. This was a different Zelda then the others, the first one could say. She wore a purple halter dress that, at her waist, shifted into a white color. A golden belt was around her waist while a golden crown was in her hair. White gloves were upon her hands which then went up her arm and above her elbows. Her face showed great fear as she stared into the eyes of the Goddesses. “You have been charged with disturbing time itself.”

 

Zelda turned to Nayru. “After Ganondorf’s sealing, you sent the Hero of Time back in time,” Nayru spoke. “While your intentions were good, they created a horrible…side effect you could say.”

 

Zelda now turned to Farore, who had her eyes closed and her arms folded over her chest. “Time has become split at the point in which Link drew the Master Sword,” Farore spoke. “In one time, the Hero of Time drew the sword and became the Hero of Time, saving your world from Ganondorf, but in the other, he did not. Instead, he warned the King of Hyrule about Ganondorf’s deception and the King of Evil was thrown into the Twilight Realm with the Sheikahs.”

 

Din now spoke. “On top of that, the Hero of Time retained the Triforce of Courage from your time. This caused a disturbance, forcing the Triforce pieces to separate, and a new Triforce of Courage to form in this time.”

 

Nayru sighed and spoke. “There is only one way to repair the damage you have done to time, but it will take a long time, and even then it cannot be repaired fully. There will become two Hyrules one day…the only way to fuse the timelines without destroying the world.”

 

Farore opened her eyes, speaking once again. “And now we come to this…you must pay for your sin, and the Hero of Time must also pay for your sin.”

 

“No…” Zelda cried out. “Please, don’t make him pay for my wrong doing!”

 

“There is no other way,” Din spoke. “To fix what has been done, you both must suffer.”

 

Zelda collapsed to her knees, tears flowing to the ground. “What…what will…you have me do…?” she asked through her tears.

 

“You and the Hero of Time will pay by being reborn every one hundred years,” Din spoke. “As penance, your life shall be sixty years, and never more. When a hundred years has passed, your soul will be given to the next born child of the Royal Family, and you shall be reborn. When the Triforce of Wisdom is then passed to you, you shall inherit all of your memories, and you will constantly remember our words.”

 

“However,” Nayru spoke, “no one thing. Should you die before your sixty years are up, your soul will be lost forever.”

 

“This curse is the same we place upon the Hero of Time,” Farore spoke. “However, with one difference in that he must come in contact with the Triforce of Courage.”

 

“I…I understand…” Zelda pulled herself together and looked up at the Goddesses before her. “Then…this shall be my fate…and this shall be the fate of the Hero of Time as well…there is no other way…” She closed her eyes and looked down. “Link…I’m sorry…”

 

* * *

 

“May I present to you, the Princess Zelda!” King spoke and the light from the Triforce vanished, along with the Triforce itself. Tetra now found herself standing there in the castle of Hyrule, once again back in the present time. Now, however, her skin was lighter, her hair was much longer, and she was dressed in-

 

“A dress?!” Tetra shouted as she looked down, noticing she was dressed in the same outfit Zelda wore when she was in the room of light. “Not just that…but a Princess dress?”

 

“With crown and everything,” King spoke. “You are the Princess Zelda de Hyrule.”

 

Tetra growled. “My fuckin’ name is Tetra! Get that straight!”

 

“Your name is not important, young one. You are the re-incarnation of Princess Zelda herself, as you can see clearly from your outfit.”

 

Tetra growled and looked at Link. She blinked when she noticed he was blushing heavily. “Wh-what?!” she shouted suddenly. “Is something on me?”

 

“N-no!” Link protested quickly. “You’re just…just…”

 

“Just what?” Tetra glared at Link angrily.

 

The words caught in Link’s throat and he forced them down with a gulp. After a moment, he spoke. “Beautiful…”

 

Tetra’s eyes went wide and she blushed rather heavily at his words. “Now then,” King spoke and Link and Tetra turned quickly to look at him, “there is another matter…you cannot leave this castle now in that form.”

 

“So you expect me just to stay here?” Tetra asked, folding her arms over her chest.

 

“Yes,” King spoke rather bluntly.

 

“What the hell?!” Tetra shouted right in King’s ear and he winced.

 

“We must keep you safe from the Evil King!”

 

“Isn’t he dead?” Link asked. “Valoo torched him.”

 

King sighed and shook his head. “If it was that simple…no…remember what I said before? Only the Master Sword can harm a Wielder of the Triforce?”

 

“Yeah…but it didn’t seem to do anything…in fact, he said it was dull…”

 

“Dull is right!” King spoke suddenly, pushing out his chest. “Something must have happened to the Sages of Earth and Wind who keep the sword’s power to repel evil alive. We must go at once and discover what happened to them!”

 

“But what about Tetra?”

 

“She’ll be fine here.”

 

“One fuckin’ problem there, buddy…” Tetra spoke and King turned to look at her. “Any food or water in this place is three hundred years old. Who know show long it’s going to take you to find the damn sages? It could take weeks or months! What the hell am I supposed to do about that?”

 

“Sleep, of course,” King spoke rather bluntly.

 

“Sleep? Sleep?!” Tetra shouted and growled. She reached her hands forward to strangle King, but at once she felt herself growing oddly tired. “What…the hell…?”

 

“The Triforce of Wisdom will preserve you until we return. The Triforce of Courage has the power to awaken you again. When we have saved the sages and collected the Triforce of Courage, we will return for you.”

 

Tetra went to say something, but she collapsed forward, which caused Link to rush forward and grab her quickly before she hit the ground. He then laid her down, then looked up to King. “Is it really safe to leave her here?”

 

“Safest place in all of Hyrule!” King protested.

 

“But…wasn’t this place overrun by monsters before?”

 

“From the past! There’s no monsters around now, are there?”

 

“True…”

 

“Go!” King suddenly shouted and rose his hand.

 

“What-” Before Link could even speak, he found himself teleported out of the castle and onto the boat. They were already above the water, and a moment later, King seemed to come alive. “What did you do?”

 

“Teleported us out. I closed the statue, so there is no way Ganondorf could ever get in.”

 

Link sighed. “Well…let’s hope you’re right about that one…”

 

“Of course I am.”

 

“Where to now?”

 

“Gust and Stonewatcher Islands. The Temple of Earth is on Stonewatcher Isle; the Temple of Winds is on Gust Isle. There we will discover what happened to the sages.”

 

Link sighed and pulled out a sea chart to examine where each island was. “Long way…”

 

“Quite…but we should be fine…Zelda will be safe where she is.”

 

“Tetra…” Link remarked. “But…yeah…she should be fine…or so I hope…” With that, Link rose the sail and the two were off. Neither knew where their adventure was about to take them, or the perils they were about to face upon the Great Sea.

 

[Kiriashi 117]

I'll be reading these! I'll tell you what I think when I'm done!

[TheRexion 0]

This will take wile but I'll also be reading this.

[Kiriashi 117]

Hey, TheRexion! Long-time-no-post-a-post-directed-at-you. lol

 

 

Where have you been?